Stakeholders Unite in São Paulo for Built by Nature Documentary Premiere

São Paulo, Brazil – On 8 November, the Museum of Art São Paulo (MASP) welcomed over 100 guests for an inspiring evening of dialogue, film, and networking at the Built by Nature Premiere Event. The program brought together leaders from across the timber construction and sustainable design and development value chain to explore how forest-positive solutions can transform the built environment for the benefit of climate, nature and people.

The evening began with opening remarks from Paul King, CEO of Built by Nature, who shared the organization’s mission and the urgent need for climate-positive construction practices.

The first session, Brazil in Focus, highlighted local leadership and opportunities for mass timber in Brazil. Ana Belizário, Head of New Business at Urbem and a Built by Nature Prize judge, moderated contributions from Marcelo Aflalo (Núcleo da Madeira), José Paulo Gouvêa (JPG ARQ), and other experts, culminating in a dynamic panel discussion on policies, practices, and forest-positive construction.

After a networking break, guests reconvened for the global premiere of a new documentary produced by Open Planet Studios and narrated by Kevin McCloud. Featuring appearances by Sir David Attenborough and leading voices from WWF, FAO, UNEP, and industry, the film showcases six transformative projects, winners of the Built by Nature Prize 2025, that demonstrate how timber construction can cut emissions and simultaneously create resilient local communities and strengthen sustainable forest practices.

The screening was followed by reflections from Prize winners including Andrew Waugh, Kim Baber, Susan Jones, and Frédéric Denise, who shared their experiences in pioneering biobased design. The evening closed with a reception, where participants expressed strong interest in future screenings and translations, underscoring the film’s global relevance.

As a Pre-COP30 event, the MASP gathering set the tone for our upcoming launch of the Principles for Responsible Timber Construction in Belém, marking a milestone in advancing a built environment in harmony with nature.