An interview with architect Angelo Bucci of SPBR
Founded in 2003 by Angelo Bucci, SPBR is one of Brazil's most promising new generation architectural outfits. Their MO: a strong sense of the flow between interior and exterior spaces.
Could you tell us a bit about the history of the studio?
The studio was founded in 2003 as a response to my working conditions and
needs: sharing time between university and office, while working in small teams
with a flexible structure.
Who are the partners?
SPBR is basically owned by me; but I try to manage it as a group of architects. Thus, João Paulo Meirelles de Faria (31); Juliana Braga (32) and Ciro Miguel (30) all own a minor part of the firm as associate architects. This situation provides quite a flexible structure as it allows each of us to adjust our involvement in each project. Ciro has finished his Masters at Columbia, NYC; and Juliana will be finishing her Masters soon at the Faculty of Architecture, University of Sao Paulo where we all studied.
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Where else have you all worked?
I was a founding partner at MMBB architects from 1996 to 2002; and I was also a partner at Arquitetura Paulista with Alvaro Puntoni and Alvaro Razuk between 1989 and 1994.
How would you describe SPBR's architectural approach?
At a time when architecture faces a lack of meaning, I'm trying to design meaningful projects.
Are there particular materials or spatial arrangements that characterise the
work of the practice?
We try to use the same air inside and outside; our work is to create the spaces in between indoor and outdoor. In addition, structure is naturally very carefully considered.
What projects have recently been completed?
We've just done houses in Carapicuiba and Santa Teresa, as well as the Ataliba Leonel School, and the House in Ubatuba.
What is currently being designed?
We're doing the Mediatheque PUC building in Rio de Janeiro, the Brazil Apartment Building in Lugano, Switzerland, a housing complex in the Algarve, Portugal, as well as several other small projects.
Are there any Brazilian architects in particular who have inspired or encouraged you?
Oscar Niemeyer, Afonso Eduardo Reidy, Paulo Mendes da Rocha, Vilanova Artigas, Carlos Millan, Eduardo de Almeida, Marcello Fragelli, and Marcos Acayaba.
Architect: Marcos Acayaba
Project: Acayaba House, 1997
Read our Q&A with Marcos Acayaba
Project: Baeta House, 1993
Project: Olga House, 1990
Project: Pindorama Pavilion, 1985
Project: Terpins House, 1992
Architect: Angelo Bucci of SPBR
Project: Apartment building in Lugano
Read our Q&A with Angelo Bucci
Project: Atilba Leonel School in Sao Paulo
Project: House in Santa Teresa
Project: Housing complex in Algarve
Project: Mediatheque PUC in Rio de Janeiro
Architect: Bernardes + Jacobsen
Project: Guaruja House, 2007
Photography: Leonardo Finotti
Project: Guaruja House, 2007
Photography: Leonardo Finotti
Project: JH House
Photography: Leonardo Finotti
Project: JZ House
Photography: Leonardo Finotti
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
Project: Igatu Museum
Project: ISA
Photography: Daniel Ducci
Project: Conjunto KKKK
Photography: Nelson Kon
Project: Rodin Museum
Photography: Nelson Kon
Architect: Arthur Casas
Project: PK Iporanga residence
Project: KAA restaurant, Sao Paulo
Project: MP House
Project: Avenue Atlantica apartment, 2009
Project: AC Iporanga, 2005
Architect: Marcio Kogan
Project: Bahia
Photography: Nelson Kon
Read our Q&A with Marcio Kogan
Project: Micasa Volume B
Photography: Nelson Kon
Project: Osler House
Photography: Pedro Vannucchi
Project: Paraty House
Photography: Nelson Kon
Project: Prime Time
Architect: Eduardo Longo
Project: Casa GL
Project: Casa GL
Project: Casa CMC
Project: Casa CAL
Project: Casa CEG
Project: Apartamento MG
Project: Apartamento MG
Project: Proposta Para O Elevado Costa E Silva
Project: Proposta Para O Elevado Costa E Silva
Project: Proposta Praca Roosevelt - Praia Roosevelt
Project: Apartamento do Bola
Project: Casa Bola Galia
Project: Casa Bola Galia
Project: Casa Bola Galia
Project: Casa CMC
Architect: Fernando de Mello Franco of MMBB
Project: Boaaava residence
Photography: Nelson Kon
Read our Q&A with Fernando de Mello Franco
Project: Antonico Creek reurbanisation - Plan of the typical sector
Project: Headquarters of Corporacion Andina de Fomento, Caracas, Venezuela
Photography: Nelson Kon
Project: Music centre at Campos do Jordao
Photography: Nelson Kon
Project: Music centre at Campos do Jordao
Photography: Nelson Kon
Project: Vila Roma residence
Photography: Nelson Kon
Architect: Ruy Ohtake
Project: FCC Biulding, 2005
Photography: Nelson Kon
Read our Q&A with Ruy Ohtake
Project: FCC Building, 2005
Photography: Nelson Kon
Project: Instituto Tomie Ohtake, 2003
Photography: Leonardo Finotti
Project: Instituto Tomie Ohtake, 2003
Photography: Leonardo Finotti
Project: Instituto Tomie Ohtake, 2003
Photography: Leonardo Finotti
Project: Instituto Tomie Ohtake, 2003
Photography: Leonardo Finotti
Project: Instituto Tomie Ohtake, 2003
Photography: Leonardo Finotti
Project: Op Art Flagship Store, 2009
Photography: ROAU Archive
Project: Op Art Flagship Store, 2009
Photography: ROAU Archive
Project: Daniel Rosseler Residence, 2009
Photography: Daniel Ducci
Project: Daniel Rosseler Residence, 2009
Photography: Daniel Ducci
Project: Daniel Rosseler Residence, 2009
Photography: Daniel Ducci
Project: Daniel Rosseler Residence, 2009
Photography: Daniel Ducci
Project: Daniel Rosseler Residence, 2009
Photography: Daniel Ducci
Project: Daniel Rosseler Residence, 2009
Photography: Daniel Ducci
Project: Daniel Rosseler Residence, 2009
Photography: Daniel Ducci
Project: Zuleika Halpern Residence, 2005
Photography: Turca Reines
Project: Zuleika Halpern Residence, 2005
Photography: Turca Reines
Project: Santa Catarina Building, 2003
Photography: Daniel Ducci, Carlos Gueller
Project: Santa Catarina Building, 2003
Photography: Daniel Ducci, Carlos Gueller
Architect: Isay Weinfeld Architects
Project: Havaianas
Photography: Nelson Kon
Project: Fasano Las Piedras Hotel
Photography: Luiza Sigulem
Project: Midrash
Photography: Leonardo Finotti
Jonathan Bell has written for Wallpaper* magazine since 1999, covering everything from architecture and transport design to books, tech and graphic design. He is now the magazine’s Transport and Technology Editor. Jonathan has written and edited 15 books, including Concept Car Design, 21st Century House, and The New Modern House. He is also the host of Wallpaper’s first podcast.
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