An interview with Fernando de Mello Franco of MMBB

Fernando de Mello Franco, Marta Moreira and Milton Braga form MMBB - one of Brazil's most energetic and multi-faceted architectural practices with work spanning from large urban planning and regeneration schemes to private houses. Regular collaborators with Pritzker Prize winner and member of Wallpaper*'s advisory panel, Paulo Mendes de Rocha, MMBB combine practice with academia and have currently a range of projects on the drawing boards.

What defines Brazilian architecture and culture?

What is special is the way the Brazilians operate with the culture as a whole, even though each area has its own characteristics and interpretations of what Brazilian culture is. We also solve problems creatively. Everything could be a solution for a problem; we fix things with what we have available. This shows the power of our culture and Lina Bo Bardi used this all the time. That is, the way we mix the technical global standards with local culture. It is not local and not global, it is the friction in-between.

Do you think there are many architects today who work like this?

No, I don't.

How does Brazil's strong Modernist legacy affect and influence contemporary architecture in the country?

Well, Oscar Niemeyer is still alive so the movement is still alive in a way. But Wallpaper* is here and so many other people from all over the world, like you, think that Brazil is in a special moment of change. And for sure it is.

Do you agree with that?

I do agree. Sao Paulo, for example, was formed as a modern industrial city but now something new is going to emerge. I don't know what it is going to be, but it is not exactly the continuation of the Modern movement. We are not turning our back to it, of course. Things are just changing right now. Paulo Mendes da Rocha for example is really clever and is conscious of that. He says he hates to see young people doing what he had done 50 years ago. It has no meaning now.

Is Brazil and Brazilian construction mainly supported by governmental or private funds, Brazilian or foreign?

We certainly have both, but there is lots of Brazilian money for sure. We have mines and oil, so many good resources. But when you talk about Brazilian architecture, you will notice that all the big projects are somehow connected with a special political moment. For example, the Ministry of Education by Le Corbusier and others happened at such a moment. During the 1950s, the best of Niemeyer and Lina Bo Bardi's first works were connected with the economical development Brazil had after the Second World War. The bossa nova, cinema nuovo and so on were all expressions of that moment. I believe that Brazil is changing at the moment so we can expect something new soon.

Do you feel the state is encouraging a change?

You may find one person here and one there - maybe one per state - but it is definitely not a movement yet.

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).