Brazilian architects directory 2010

Architect: UNA
Project: Joanopolis House, São Paulo
Website: www.unaarquitetos.com.br

Based in São Paulo’s upmarket rua General Jardim, UNA Arquitetos were formed in 1996 by four partners: Cristiane Muniz, Fábio Rago Valentim, Fernanda Barbara and Fernando Felippe Viégas, all fresh from São Paulo's architecture and urban planning school. Today UNA is a multi-award winning firm, taking prizes at the 2009 São Paulo Architecture Biennale as well as awards from the Institute of Brazilian Architects in 2006, 2005 and 1998. Working with a large variety of scales and programmes such as urban planning, public infrastructures, schools, institutions, commercial services and residential buildings, their major built projects include houses in and around São Paulo, a school in Curitiba, the Piqueri Rail Station, and, most recently, the new São Miguel Station. ‘Brazilian architecture is marked by a group of important architects as Oscar Niemeyer, Lúcio Costa, Vilanova Artigas, Paulo Mendes da Rocha, Lina Bo Bardi and João Figueiras Lima (Lelé) among others,’ say UNA. ‘Their architecture touched on technical, social and territorial issues. As contemporary architects, we work with this legacy which is becoming more relevant by the day.’