Brasil Arquitetura's more than 30-year long portfolio spans urban planning, public and residential work as well as furniture. Headed by principals Marcelo Ferraz and Franscisco Fanucci since the 1980s, the firm combines valuable experience gained from working with iconic architect Lina Bo Bardi and his team with in-depth professional know-how, a strong research basis and a love for Brazilian craft and culture. We speak with Marcelo Ferraz about the future of Brazil's architectural scene.

Would you agree that now feels like a good moment for Brazilian architecture?

I don't know what you've heard from the other architects, but we've been working in the office for 31 years and for the first time recently we have been getting really good works in terms of commissions. There generally seem to be more competitions taking place in Brazil. Our government was very smart at the beginning of the financial crisis and spent money, so things kept moving.

Twenty years ago, there were not that many public projects here. Was this due to economic or political reasons?

It was both, I think. But we are definitely leaving this atmosphere now.

There are also some works by international architects planned in Brazil too.

Yes, there are lots of architects from abroad trying to get commissions here. I think it is good to open a bit and bring fresh air and create healthy antagonism. The museum by Alvaro Siza in Porto Alegre is a very good example of that.

The Rio Olympics are coming up. How will that affect the city's architecture?

I think we are going to lose a good opportunity to change things and the city. Our experience in the Pan-American games was very bad. But now who knows, maybe things will change.

How did the powerful legacy of modernism in Brazil affect you in terms of defining your own style?

There is a group of architects that is very close to the modern movement. We all studied Lucio Costa, Oscar Niemeyer, Artigas, and we are, in a way, their 'sons'. But there was also Lina Bo Bardi, who I worked with and who was a little bit different. She introduced a whole new eye to Brazilian architecture and modernism. She adopted the Brazilian culture and lifestyle and tried to feed everything into her work. Her SESC Pompeia building is the most democratic place to visit in Sao Paulo. It is an amazing place where you can find very simple people and very sophisticated people together.

What was the most important thing you learnt from her?

It was the way of making architecture. We always try to put in the programme the culture of the people and the geography. Locality is quite important. We don't start from the form; we don't do formalistic or structural solutions.

Would you say then that your architecture is quite Brazilian?

It is Brazilian and we also put the human factor in the centre. I think this is definitely one of the lessons I learnt from Lina. We first go and study the area and the people and after that, once we have formed the concept, we go to the computers to design.

Brazil is a big country with a lot of resources. Do you feel there are lots to take advantage of?

Yes, we do have to grab the opportunity. We have a good climate and the earth is wonderful, a good mix of people. This is one of the best things about Brazil: The fusion.

Architect: Marcos Acayaba

Acayaba House, 1997


(Image credit: TBC)

Project: Acayaba House, 1997
Read our Q&A with Marcos Acayaba

Baeta House, 1993

(Image credit: TBC)

Project: Baeta House, 1993

Olga House, 1990

(Image credit: TBC)

Project: Olga House, 1990

Pindorama Pavilion, 1985

(Image credit: TBC)

Project: Pindorama Pavilion, 1985

Terpins House, 1992

(Image credit: TBC)

Project: Terpins House, 1992

Architect: Angelo Bucci of SPBR

Apartment building in Lugano

(Image credit: TBC)

Project: Apartment building in Lugano
Read our Q&A with Angelo Bucci

Atilba Leonel School in Sao Paulo

(Image credit: TBC)

Project: Atilba Leonel School in Sao Paulo

House in Santa Teresa

(Image credit: TBC)

Project: House in Santa Teresa

Housing complex in Algarve

(Image credit: TBC)

Project: Housing complex in Algarve

Mediatheque PUC in Rio de Janeiro

(Image credit: TBC)

Project: Mediatheque PUC in Rio de Janeiro

Architect: Bernardes + Jacobsen

Guaruja House, 2007

(Image credit: Leonardo Finotti)

Project: Guaruja House, 2007
Photography: Leonardo Finotti

Guaruja House, 2007

(Image credit: Leonardo Finotti)

Project: Guaruja House, 2007
Photography: Leonardo Finotti

JH House

(Image credit: Leonardo Finotti)

Project: JH House
Photography: Leonardo Finotti

JZ House

(Image credit: Leonardo Finotti)

Project: JZ House
Photography: Leonardo Finotti

JZ House

(Image credit: Leonardo Finotti)

Project: JZ House
Photography: Leonardo Finotti

Architect: Marcelo Ferraz of Brasil Arquitetura

Bread Museum

(Image credit: Nelson Kon)

Project: Bread Museum
Photography: Nelson Kon
Read our Q&A with Marcelo Ferraz

Igatu Museum

(Image credit: TBC)

Project: Igatu Museum

ISA

(Image credit: Daniel Ducci)

Project: ISA
Photography: Daniel Ducci

Conjunto KKKK

(Image credit: Nelson Kon)

Project: Conjunto KKKK
Photography: Nelson Kon

Marcelo Ferraz of Brasil Arquitetura

(Image credit: Nelson Kon)

Project: Rodin Museum
Photography: Nelson Kon

Architect: Arthur Casas

PK Iporanga residence

(Image credit: TBC)

Project: PK Iporanga residence

KAA restaurant, Sao Paulo

(Image credit: TBC)

Project: KAA restaurant, Sao Paulo

MP House

(Image credit: TBC)

Project: MP House

Avenue Atlantica apartment, 2009

(Image credit: TBC)

Project: Avenue Atlantica apartment, 2009

AC Iporanga, 2005

(Image credit: TBC)

Project: AC Iporanga, 2005

Architect: Marcio Kogan

Bahia

(Image credit: Nelson Kon)

Project: Bahia
Photography: Nelson Kon
Read our Q&A with Marcio Kogan

Micasa Volume B

(Image credit: Marcio Kogan)

Project: Micasa Volume B
Photography: Nelson Kon

Osler House

(Image credit: Pedro Vannucchi)

Project: Osler House
Photography: Pedro Vannucchi

Paraty House

(Image credit: Nelson Kon)

Project: Paraty House
Photography: Nelson Kon

Prime Time

(Image credit: TBC)

Project: Prime Time

Architect: Eduardo Longo

Casa GL

(Image credit: TBC)

Project: Casa GL

Casa GL

(Image credit: TBC)

Project: Casa GL

Casa CMC

(Image credit: TBC)

Project: Casa CMC

Casa CAL

(Image credit: TBC)

Project: Casa CAL

Casa CEG

(Image credit: TBC)

Project: Casa CEG

Apartamento MG

(Image credit: TBC)

Project: Apartamento MG

Apartamento MG

(Image credit: TBC)

Project: Apartamento MG

Proposta Para O Elevado Costa E Silva

(Image credit: TBC)

Project: Proposta Para O Elevado Costa E Silva

Proposta Para O Elevado Costa E Silva

(Image credit: TBC)

Project: Proposta Para O Elevado Costa E Silva

Proposta Praca Roosevelt - Praia Roosevelt

(Image credit: TBC)

Project: Proposta Praca Roosevelt - Praia Roosevelt

Apartamento do Bola

(Image credit: TBC)

Project: Apartamento do Bola

Casa Bola Galia

(Image credit: TBC)

Project: Casa Bola Galia

Casa Bola Galia

(Image credit: TBC)

Project: Casa Bola Galia

Casa Bola Galia

(Image credit: TBC)

Project: Casa Bola Galia

Casa CMC

(Image credit: TBC)

Project: Casa CMC

Architect: Fernando de Mello Franco of MMBB

Boaaava residence

(Image credit: Nelson Kon)

Project: Boaaava residence
Photography: Nelson Kon
Read our Q&A with Fernando de Mello Franco

Antonico Creek reurbanisation - Plan of the typical sector

(Image credit: TBC)

Project: Antonico Creek reurbanisation - Plan of the typical sector

Headquarters of Corporacion Andina de Fomento, Caracas, Venezuela

(Image credit: Nelson Kon)

Project: Headquarters of Corporacion Andina de Fomento, Caracas, Venezuela
Photography: Nelson Kon

Music centre at Campos do Jordao

(Image credit: Nelson Kon)

Project: Music centre at Campos do Jordao
Photography: Nelson Kon

Music centre at Campos do Jordao

(Image credit: Nelson Kon)

Project: Music centre at Campos do Jordao
Photography: Nelson Kon

Vila Roma residence

(Image credit: Nelson Kon)

Project: Vila Roma residence
Photography: Nelson Kon

Architect: Ruy Ohtake

FCC Biulding, 2005

(Image credit: Nelson Kon)

Project: FCC Biulding, 2005
Photography: Nelson Kon
Read our Q&A with Ruy Ohtake

FCC Building, 2005

(Image credit: Nelson Kon)

Project: FCC Building, 2005
Photography: Nelson Kon

Instituto Tomie Ohtake, 2003

(Image credit: Leonardo Finotti)

Project: Instituto Tomie Ohtake, 2003
Photography: Leonardo Finotti

Instituto Tomie Ohtake, 2003

(Image credit: Leonardo Finotti)

Project: Instituto Tomie Ohtake, 2003
Photography: Leonardo Finotti

Instituto Tomie Ohtake, 2003

(Image credit: Leonardo Finotti)

Project: Instituto Tomie Ohtake, 2003
Photography: Leonardo Finotti

Instituto Tomie Ohtake, 2003

(Image credit: Leonardo Finotti)

Project: Instituto Tomie Ohtake, 2003
Photography: Leonardo Finotti

Instituto Tomie Ohtake, 2003

(Image credit: Leonardo Finotti)

Project: Instituto Tomie Ohtake, 2003
Photography: Leonardo Finotti

Op Art Flagship Store, 2009

(Image credit: ROAU Archive)

Project: Op Art Flagship Store, 2009
Photography: ROAU Archive

Op Art Flagship Store, 2009

(Image credit: ROAU Archive)

Project: Op Art Flagship Store, 2009
Photography: ROAU Archive

Daniel Rosseler Residence, 2009

(Image credit: Daniel Ducci)

Project: Daniel Rosseler Residence, 2009
Photography: Daniel Ducci

Daniel Rosseler Residence, 2009

(Image credit: Daniel Ducci)

Project: Daniel Rosseler Residence, 2009
Photography: Daniel Ducci

Daniel Rosseler Residence, 2009

(Image credit: Daniel Ducci)

Project: Daniel Rosseler Residence, 2009
Photography: Daniel Ducci

Daniel Rosseler Residence, 2009

(Image credit: Daniel Ducci)

Project: Daniel Rosseler Residence, 2009
Photography: Daniel Ducci

Daniel Rosseler Residence, 2009

(Image credit: Daniel Ducci)

Project: Daniel Rosseler Residence, 2009
Photography: Daniel Ducci

Daniel Rosseler Residence, 2009

(Image credit: Daniel Ducci)

Project: Daniel Rosseler Residence, 2009
Photography: Daniel Ducci

Daniel Rosseler Residence, 2009

(Image credit: Daniel Ducci)

Project: Daniel Rosseler Residence, 2009
Photography: Daniel Ducci

Zuleika Halpern Residence, 2005

(Image credit: Turca Reines)

Project: Zuleika Halpern Residence, 2005
Photography: Turca Reines

Zuleika Halpern Residence, 2005

(Image credit: Turca Reines)

Project: Zuleika Halpern Residence, 2005
Photography: Turca Reines

Santa Catarina Building, 2003

(Image credit: Daniel Ducci, Carlos Gueller)

Project: Santa Catarina Building, 2003
Photography: Daniel Ducci, Carlos Gueller

Santa Catarina Building, 2003

(Image credit: Daniel Ducci, Carlos Gueller)

Project: Santa Catarina Building, 2003
Photography: Daniel Ducci, Carlos Gueller

Architect: Isay Weinfeld Architects

Havaianas

(Image credit: Nelson Kon)

Project: Havaianas
Photography: Nelson Kon

Fasano Las Piedras Hotel

(Image credit: Luiza Sigulem)

Project: Fasano Las Piedras Hotel
Photography: Luiza Sigulem

Midrash

(Image credit: Leonardo Finotti)

Project: Midrash
Photography: Leonardo Finotti

Havaianas

(Image credit: Nelson Kon)

Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018), Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022).