Interviews with Brazil's leading architects

last updated 29 September 2022

The Brazilian architectural landscape may seem newly formed compared to that of Europe or Asia, but this doesn't stop it from being as diverse and multi-levelled as it is culturally rich. Combining the syntax of the different nationalities swept in by the tide of immigration over the past two centuries, the architectural language is intricate and incorporates everything from traditional local building techniques to colonial architecture and the legacy of the International Style.

Indeed, fuelled by that hedonistic combination of climate and culture, a more organic Brazilian-styled modernism has emerged in which the new has been embraced without reservation, while one eye is kept firmly cocked at the country's modernist stockpile.

Fittingly, for Wallpaper's 'Born in Brazil' issue, we assembled a panel drawn from the country's finest living architects to discuss the common thread of contemporary Brazilian architecture. Here, we show you some of their most seminal work, plus chat to several members of the panel about the changing architectural landscape of this extraordinary country.

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

Architect: Marcos Acayaba
Project: Baeta House, 1993

Architect: Marcos Acayaba
Project: Olga House, 1990

Architect: Marcos Acayaba
Project: Pindorama Pavilion, 1985

Architect: Marcos Acayaba
Project: Terpins House, 1992

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

Architect: Angelo Bucci of SPBR
Project: Atilba Leonel School in Sao Paulo

Architect: Angelo Bucci of SPBR
Project: House in Santa Teresa

Architect: Angelo Bucci of SPBR
Project: Housing complex in Algarve

Architect: Angelo Bucci of SPBR
Project: Mediatheque PUC in Rio de Janeiro

Architect: Bernardes + Jacobsen
Project: Guaruja House, 2007
Photography: Leonardo Finotti

Architect: Bernardes + Jacobsen
Project: JH House
Photography: Leonardo Finotti

Architect: Bernardes + Jacobsen
Project: JZ House
Photography: Leonardo Finotti

Architect: Marcelo Ferraz of Brasil Arquitetura
Project: Bread Museum
Photography: Nelson Kon
Read our Q&A with Marcelo Ferraz

Architect: Marcelo Ferraz of Brasil Arquitetura
Project: Igatu Museum

Architect: Marcelo Ferraz of Brasil Arquitetura
Project: ISA
Photography: Daniel Ducci

Architect: Marcelo Ferraz of Brasil Arquitetura
Project: Conjunto KKKK
Photography: Nelson Kon

Architect: Marcelo Ferraz of Brasil Arquitetura
Project: Rodin Museum
Photography: Nelson Kon

Architect: Arthur Casas
Project: PK Iporanga residence

Architect: Arthur Casas
Project: KAA restaurant, Sao Paulo

Architect: Arthur Casas
Project: MP House

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

Architect: Marcio Kogan
Project: Micasa Volume B
Photography: Nelson Kon

Architect: Marcio Kogan
Project: Osler House
Photography: Pedro Vannucchi

Architect: Marcio Kogan
Project: Paraty House
Photography: Nelson Kon

Architect: Marcio Kogan
Project: Prime Time

Architect: Eduardo Longo
Project: Casa GL

Architect: Eduardo Longo
Project: Casa CMC

Architect: Eduardo Longo
Project: Casa CAL

Architect: Eduardo Longo
Project: Casa CEG

Architect: Eduardo Longo
Project: Apartamento MG

Architect: Eduardo Longo
Project: Proposta Para O Elevado Costa E Silva

Architect: Eduardo Longo
Project: Proposta Praca Roosevelt - Praia Roosevelt

Architect: Eduardo Longo
Project: Apartamento do Bola

Architect: Eduardo Longo
Project: Casa Bola Galia

Architect: Eduardo Longo
Project: Casa CMC

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

Architect: Fernando de Mello Franco of MMBB
Project: Antonico Creek reurbanisation - Plan of the typical sector

Architect: Fernando de Mello Franco of MMBB
Project: Headquarters of Corporacion Andina de Fomento, Caracas, Venezuela
Photography: Nelson Kon

Architect: Fernando de Mello Franco of MMBB
Project: Music centre at Campos do Jordao
Photography: Nelson Kon

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

Architect: Ruy Ohtake
Project: FCC Building, 2005
Photography: Nelson Kon

Architect: Ruy Ohtake
Project: Instituto Tomie Ohtake, 2003
Photography: Leonardo Finotti

Architect: Ruy Ohtake
Project: Op Art Flagship Store, 2009
Photography: ROAU Archive

Architect: Ruy Ohtake
Project: Daniel Rosseler Residence, 2009
Photography: Daniel Ducci

Architect: Ruy Ohtake
Project: Zuleika Halpern Residence, 2005
Photography: Turca Reines

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

Architect: Isay Weinfeld Architects
Project: Havaianas
Photography: Nelson Kon

Architect: Isay Weinfeld Architects
Project: Fasano Las Piedras Hotel
Photography: Luiza Sigulem

Architect: Isay Weinfeld Architects
Project: Havaianas
Photography: 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).