An interview with architect Ruy Ohtake

Creating some of Brazil's most recognizable and arguably most colourful buildings - like the striking Thomie Ohtake Cultural Institute designed for his artist mother and the visually arresting Hotel Unique - Sao Paulo-based Ruy Ohtake is one of the country's most well-known and respected contemporary architects.

Wallpaper* has produced a special issue on Brazil as we feel that this is a good time for the country and its architecture. Do you agree?

There is a cultural institute, which showcases just that, the Institute Thomie Ohtake. It has just held a very important exhibition about contemporary Finnish design. The space itself was opened in 2004 and it has amazing exhibitions and initiatives which showcase art, architecture and photography from Brazil and abroad.

Is there a lot of new and interesting architecture in Brazil at the moment?

Yes, and I am trying to do Brazilian contemporary architecture myself. In all my works in the past ten to 15 years, the challenge is to create something that is truly contemporary.

What are the main elements of your architecture?

It is the relationship with the city. Architecture is part of the history of the city and as such any contemporary architectural intervention and expression can be crucial to the city's development. Architecture must provoke surprise and emotion. The life inside the architecture must also be agreeable and not forced.

You do a lot of colour in your work. How important is it for you?

Colour is life. Through colour, you can express yourself and can create a very contemporary idiom.

Do you see architecture as an art and the building as a painting?

Absolutely. Architecture is definitely one of the arts and probably the most difficult one, because people actually work and live in it. The presence of architecture as art in the city is very important.

Do you feel your architecture could be described as Brazilian? How does it connect with the country and the culture?

I design Brazilian architecture and work with Brazilian culture as these are my roots. But I also feel that architectural expression must be... well, I don't like the word international, but it must be for everybody. It needs to be global.

What are your influences?

As a student, my influences were Oscar Niemeyer and Artigas, who did the architecture school of São Paulo where I studied. In addition, I like very much Frank Gehry. He was able to transform the city of Bilbao with just one piece of architecture. It was very powerful. Also I follow the work of Renzo Piano, Thom Mayne, as well as many British architects.

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).