An interview with architect Marcelo Ferraz
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.
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
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
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
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).
-
Bentley collaborates with fashion designer Supriya Lele to create ‘Nīla Blue’
This one-off Bentley Bentayga S showcases a new paint and interior specification created with Indian-British designer Supriya Lele
By Shawn Adams Published
-
Wallpaper* checks in at Yoruya, a Japanese inn where less is always more
Yoruya, which transforms a 110-year-old former kimono merchant shopfront and residence in Kurashiki, is an exercise in graceful restraint and craft
By Joanna Kawecki Published
-
Christmas gift ideas for design lovers
Wallpaper* global design director Hugo Macdonald compiles his festive wish list – from Poltrona Frau's luxurious dog leads to Carl Aubock's wicker magazine wall rack
By Hugo Macdonald Published
-
Out of office: coffee and creative small talk with Tatiana Bilbao
Bodil Blain, Wallpaper* columnist and founder of Cru Kafé, shares coffee and creative small talk with leading figures from the worlds of art, architecture, design, and fashion. This week, it’s Mexican architect Tatiana Bilbao, who is currently designing a brutalist, ethical aquarium in Mazatlán and has an exhibition at Copenhagen's Louisiana Museum of Modern Art opening in October 2019
By Bodil Blain Last updated
-
At home with Deborah Berke
Architect Deborah Berke talks to us about art, collaboration, climate change and the future, from the living room of her Long Island home
By Ellie Stathaki Last updated
-
Rheaply redefines circular economy in architecture
On Earth Day 2022, we speak to Rheaply founder Garry Cooper Jr about his innovative business that tackles reuse and upcycling in architecture and construction
By Ellie Stathaki Last updated
-
Paolo Soleri's sustainable urban experiment Arcosanti enters new era
We meet Liz Martin-Malikian, Arcosanti’s new CEO, who takes us through the vision and future for Paolo Soleri's sustainable urban experiment
By Hilary Stunda Last updated
-
International Women’s Day: leading female architects in their own words
International Women’s Day 2022 and Women’s History Month: Wallpaper* talks to four leading female architects about dreams, heroines and navigating the architecture world
By Harriet Thorpe Last updated
-
Sou Fujimoto judges Wallpaper* Design Awards 2022
We chat with Wallpaper* Design Awards 2022 judge Sou Fujimoto about his work in Japan and abroad, and our shortlisted designs and winners
By Jens H Jensen Last updated
-
Dream the Combine cross-pollinates and conquers
The American Midwest is shaking up the world of architecture. As part of our Next Generation 2022 project, we’re exploring ten local emerging practices pioneering change. Here we meet Minneapolis duo Dream the Combine
By Ellie Stathaki Last updated
-
Architecture in the words of Paulo Mendes da Rocha
Great modernist Paulo Mendes da Rocha passed away on 23 May 2021 aged 92. Here, we revisit the interview he gave Wallpaper* in 2010 for our Brazil-focussed June issue, talking about architecture, awards and his home country
By Isabel Martinez Abascal Last updated