An interview with architect Marcio Kogan

An expert in modernist-inspired but truly contemporary and bespoke residential design, Marcio Kogan is coordinating from his Sao Paulo practice, Studio MK27, projects in Brazil as well as internationally. He also recently tried his hand at furniture design, creating a beautiful series of one-off pieces that he presented at the MiCasa design store.

Now seems to be a good time for Brazil. Would you agree?

Indeed, I do agree.

What instigated the change you think?

It was the economy, but I also have this theory that Brazilian architecture had a hangover after the modernism era! Le Corbusier came to design the Ministry of Education and Health and many local architects saw it and were inspired by it and transformed it into a Brazilian thing. In my opinion, this was even better than Le Corbusier. What was very interesting also is that in Brazil at the time, there was absolutely nothing; it was isolated from the world and then suddenly you get what may be some of the best architecture of the world.

The legacy of Modernism is so strong here that I wonder if, in any way, that could complicate things for contemporary Brazilian architects?

That may have been true before, but we are in a generation that is starting to turn this around. When I was in architecture school, I hated Niemeyer as all the teachers wanted us to follow his example, while I wanted to do something a bit different. Now, of course, I understand and fully respect his work.

What else should we visit in Brazil?

Undoubtedly, the Le Corbusier building in Rio as well as the Parque Guinle by Lucio Costa that's also in Rio.

What were your main influences? What elements of the Modernist movement did you keep in your architecture?

I think, in a way, it is the same Modernism, only after 50 years. It has a more contemporary vision, new materials and new technological options.

You father was also in the construction business. How did that influence you?

He passed away when I was young but still he was a huge influence for me. It must have been in my DNA! My house was exactly like Jacque Tati’s Villa Arpel (of Mon Oncle). They wanted to do a high tech house and it was the Fifties and everything was automatic. Technology didn't always work as well back then! When the tram went past our house and it stopped outside, we had a small power cut.

Do you consider you architecture to be quite Brazilian then?

Yes, it is quite Brazilian.

How would you describe Brazilian architecture? What would make your architecture Brazilian?

The openness and the huge integration of the interior and the exterior. This is also our mission when we design abroad: to open up the buildings to the outside world!

What you feel are the biggest advantages of being a young architect in Brazil today?

We have many advantages, but many problems too. We don't have many public building, but we have a lot of small buildings and private projects. The city of Brazil is a bit like the Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino: flexible and experimental and organic. It's still growing.

What else are you working on now?

A photographic studio in Sao Paulo, a condominium in Portugal, interiors of a hotel in Portugal with the same client. About 90% of our work is in private houses.

So, do you enjoy working mainly with private houses?

I do. I am very perfectionist and like detail. We often design everything in a house, from handrails to one-off pieces of furniture.

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).