A palm tree-engulfed home by Marilia Pellegrini is a sanctuary in the heart of São Paulo
Meet Marilia Pellegrini, an emerging Brazilian architect whose studio features in the Wallpaper* Architects Directory for 2026
The Wallpaper* Architects Directory 2026 includes Marilia Pellegrini, a young architect and her São Paulo practice, who joins our annual round-up of exciting emerging architecture studios.
Who: Marilia Pellegrini
Following stints at both Brazilian and international studios, architect Marilia Pellegrini set up her independent practice in 2016 in São Paulo. Her mantra? A bespoke, highly architecture-and-craft-led approach, she explains: ‘Each project comes with its own repertoire and should be crafted like a hand-embroidered piece.’ Centred on this, Pellegrini and her team are always keen on delivering a well-rounded result, where they can integrate architecture, interior and furniture design to optimal results. ‘Beauty in things and kindness in people motivates me. Giving back beauty in my projects and being kind to my clients is the least I can do,’ she adds.
Having learned from some of Brazil’s most prominent architects and designers gives the team an important edge, the architect believes: ‘Gustavo Penna, still during my time at university, taught me poetry. The sensitivity of a project begins with the pencil stroke. Rene Gonzalez, a master of composition and trained by Richard Meier, taught me that no line exists on its own. He taught me to compose. Last but not least, Arthur Casas taught me balance - colour scheme, textures and materials; harmony - between curves and straight lines; and the importance of being complete as an architect.’
At the same time, ‘The influence of my creative process changes constantly, at every moment,’ Pellegrini adds. ‘The only great influence common to all my works is nature.’
What: Casa das Palmeiras
Conceived as the ultimate urban sanctuary, Casa das Palmeiras sits at the heart of São Paulo, in the suburban enclave of Alphaville. A low-lying, single-floor volume, slightly sunken into the terrain and engulfed in greenery from a leafy garden, the home is framed by the palm trees that inspired its name.
Behind a relatively opaque street-facing exterior, a flowing, breezy interior unfolds, where indoor and outdoor living blend seamlessly across living spaces that open fully to the outside and al fresco areas that blur the boundaries further against a landscape created by designer Renata Tilli. This creates a sense of not only comfort and functionality, but also luxury, Pellegrini explains.
A neutral, predominantly light-coloured surface palette underlines a softness inside and out, composed of beige limestone, light-coloured wood and soft stone. The project includes four bedroom suites, a guest bathroom, a gym and an expansive, open-plan living space for relaxing, cooking and entertaining.
Why: Architects Directory 2026
When the Wallpaper* Architects’ Directory was conceived in 2000, it was built as our bespoke international index of emerging architectural talent. Now in its 25th edition, our annual listing of promising practices from across the globe (now comprising over 500 alumni) champions the best and most promising young studios - a snapshot of talent showcasing inspiring work from all corners of the Earth with an emphasis on the residential realm.
This year’s anniversary survey includes 30 young studios (one for each of the 30 years of Wallpaper*), from Australia, Bahrain, Benin, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, Ecuador, Ghana, Greece, France, Ivory Coast, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Kuwait, India, Morocco, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, the USA, and Vietnam. Welcome to the promise, ideas and exciting architecture of the Wallpaper* Architects’ Directory 2026.
