The Brazilian architectural landscape may seem newly formed compared to that of Europe or Asia, but this doesn't stop it from being as diverse and multi-levelled as it is culturally rich. Combining the syntax of the different nationalities swept in by the tide of immigration over the past two centuries, the architectural language is intricate and incorporates everything from traditional local building techniques to colonial architecture and the legacy of the International Style.
Indeed, fuelled by that hedonistic combination of climate and culture, a more organic Brazilian-styled modernism has emerged in which the new has been embraced without reservation, while one eye is kept firmly cocked at the country's modernist stockpile.
Fittingly, for Wallpaper's 'Born in Brazil' issue, we assembled a panel drawn from the country's finest living architects to discuss the common thread of contemporary Brazilian architecture. Here, we show you some of their most seminal work, plus chat to several members of the panel about the changing architectural landscape of this extraordinary country.
Architect: Marcos Acayaba
Project: Acayaba House, 1997
Read our Q&A with Marcos Acayaba
Architect: Marcos Acayaba
Project: Baeta House, 1993
Architect: Marcos Acayaba
Project: Olga House, 1990
Architect: Marcos Acayaba
Project: Pindorama Pavilion, 1985
Architect: Marcos Acayaba
Project: Terpins House, 1992
Architect: Angelo Bucci of SPBR
Project: Apartment building in Lugano
Read our Q&A with Angelo Bucci
Architect: Angelo Bucci of SPBR
Project: Atilba Leonel School in Sao Paulo
Architect: Angelo Bucci of SPBR
Project: House in Santa Teresa
Architect: Angelo Bucci of SPBR
Project: Housing complex in Algarve
Architect: Angelo Bucci of SPBR
Project: Mediatheque PUC in Rio de Janeiro
Architect: Bernardes + Jacobsen
Project: Guaruja House, 2007
Photography: Leonardo Finotti
Architect: Bernardes + Jacobsen
Project: Guaruja House, 2007
Photography: Leonardo Finotti
Architect: Bernardes + Jacobsen
Project: JH House
Photography: Leonardo Finotti
Architect: Bernardes + Jacobsen
Project: JZ House
Photography: Leonardo Finotti
Architect: Bernardes + Jacobsen
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
Architect: Marcelo Ferraz of Brasil Arquitetura
Project: Igatu Museum
Architect: Marcelo Ferraz of Brasil Arquitetura
Project: ISA
Photography: Daniel Ducci
Architect: Marcelo Ferraz of Brasil Arquitetura
Project: Conjunto KKKK
Photography: Nelson Kon
Architect: Marcelo Ferraz of Brasil Arquitetura
Project: Rodin Museum
Photography: Nelson Kon
Architect: Arthur Casas
Project: PK Iporanga residence
Architect: Arthur Casas
Project: KAA restaurant, Sao Paulo
Architect: Arthur Casas
Project: MP House
Architect: Marcio Kogan
Project: Bahia
Photography: Nelson Kon
Read our Q&A with Marcio Kogan
Architect: Marcio Kogan
Project: Micasa Volume B
Photography: Nelson Kon
Architect: Marcio Kogan
Project: Osler House
Photography: Pedro Vannucchi
Architect: Marcio Kogan
Project: Paraty House
Photography: Nelson Kon
Architect: Marcio Kogan
Project: Prime Time
Architect: Eduardo Longo
Project: Casa GL
Architect: Eduardo Longo
Project: Casa CMC
Architect: Eduardo Longo
Project: Casa CAL
Architect: Eduardo Longo
Project: Casa CEG
Architect: Eduardo Longo
Project: Apartamento MG
Architect: Eduardo Longo
Project: Apartamento MG
Architect: Eduardo Longo
Project: Proposta Para O Elevado Costa E Silva
Architect: Eduardo Longo
Project: Proposta Praca Roosevelt - Praia Roosevelt
Architect: Eduardo Longo
Project: Apartamento do Bola
Architect: Eduardo Longo
Project: Casa Bola Galia
Architect: Eduardo Longo
Project: Casa Bola Galia
Architect: Eduardo Longo
Project: Casa Bola Galia
Architect: Eduardo Longo
Project: Casa CMC
Architect: Fernando de Mello Franco
Project: Boaaava residence
Photography: Nelson Kon
Read our Q&A with Fernando de Mello Franco
Architect: Fernando de Mello Franco of MMBB
Project: Antonico Creek reurbanisation - Plan of the typical sector
Architect: Fernando de Mello Franco of MMBB
Project: Headquarters of Corporacion Andina de Fomento, Caracas, Venezuela
Photography: Nelson Kon
Architect: Fernando de Mello Franco of MMBB
Project: Music centre at Campos do Jordao
Photography: Nelson Kon
Architect: Ruy Ohtake
Project: FCC Biulding, 2005
Photography: Nelson Kon
Read our Q&A with Ruy Ohtake
Architect: Ruy Ohtake
Project: FCC Building, 2005
Photography: Nelson Kon
Architect: Ruy Ohtake
Project: Instituto Tomie Ohtake, 2003
Photography: Leonardo Finotti
Architect: Ruy Ohtake
Project: Instituto Tomie Ohtake, 2003
Photography: Leonardo Finotti
Architect: Ruy Ohtake
Project: Instituto Tomie Ohtake, 2003
Photography: Leonardo Finotti
Architect: Ruy Ohtake
Project: Instituto Tomie Ohtake, 2003
Photography: Leonardo Finotti
Architect: Ruy Ohtake
Project: Op Art Flagship Store, 2009
Photography: ROAU Archive
Architect: Ruy Ohtake
Project: Op Art Flagship Store, 2009
Photography: ROAU Archive
Architect: Ruy Ohtake
Project: Daniel Rosseler Residence, 2009
Photography: Daniel Ducci
Architect: Ruy Ohtake
Project: Daniel Rosseler Residence, 2009
Photography: Daniel Ducci
Architect: Ruy Ohtake
Project: Daniel Rosseler Residence, 2009
Photography: Daniel Ducci
Architect: Ruy Ohtake
Project: Daniel Rosseler Residence, 2009
Photography: Daniel Ducci
Architect: Ruy Ohtake
Project: Daniel Rosseler Residence, 2009
Photography: Daniel Ducci
Architect: Ruy Ohtake
Project: Daniel Rosseler Residence, 2009
Photography: Daniel Ducci
Architect: Ruy Ohtake
Project: Zuleika Halpern Residence, 2005
Photography: Turca Reines
Architect: Ruy Ohtake
Project: Santa Catarina Building, 2003
Photography: Daniel Ducci, Carlos Gueller
Architect: Ruy Ohtake
Project: Santa Catarina Building, 2003
Photography: Daniel Ducci, Carlos Gueller
Architect: Isay Weinfeld Architects
Project: Havaianas
Photography: Nelson Kon
Architect: Isay Weinfeld Architects
Project: Fasano Las Piedras Hotel
Photography: Luiza Sigulem
Architect: Isay Weinfeld Architects
Project: Havaianas
Photography: Nelson Kon
-
Vestre’s neo-brutalist furniture will bring ‘a little madness’ to Paris Fashion WeekBound for Paris Men’s Fashion Week this month, Norwegian furniture brand Vestre reveals a sculptural bench and mirror created with designer Vincent Laine and fashion creative Willy Cartier – the latest outcome of its risk-taking ‘a little madness’ initiative
-
For its latest runway show, Zegna creates a serene oasis in DubaiThe Italian fashion house took over the Dubai Opera for a S/S 2026 show that proposed a lived-in elegance, drawing inspiration from Dubai’s sunbaked landscapes and Zegna’s birthplace of Trivero
-
Time-travel to the golden age of the cruise ship at Sea Containers LondonThe South Bank hotel celebrates its tenth anniversary with four new suites inspired by period cabin design, from Edwardian elegance to 1980s glamour
-
Beige is best at this São Paulo apartment by Arthur CasasWith this quietly elegant São Paulo apartment, Studio Arthur Casas celebrates the power of subtle, neutral shades to create warmth and timeless appeal
-
Lina Bo Bardi, the misunderstood modernist, and her influential architectureA sense of mystery clings to Lina Bo Bardi, a modernist who defined 20th-century Brazilian architecture, making waves still felt in her field; here, we explore her work and lasting influence
-
A Brazil office makes the most of its tropical locationWe tour of a new Brazil office engulfed in greenery – welcome to Gabriel Faria Lima Corporate by Perkins & Will
-
Oscar Niemeyer: a guide to the Brazilian modernist, from big hits to lesser-known gemsArchitecture master Oscar Niemeyer defined 20th-century architecture and is synonymous with Brazilian modernism; our ultimate guide explores his work, from lesser-known schemes to his big hits; and we revisit a check-in with the man himself
-
Inspired by 1970s Brazilian brutalism, Arches House is rich in colour and expressionAkitito Arquitetura blends Brazilian brutalism with fresh colours, bringing warmth and energy into a renovated family home in São Paulo
-
A Brazilian house is a soothing oasis inspired by the black sands of IcelandTurmalina, a Brazilian house by architect Tulio Xenofonte, blends contemporary architecture with the cleansing energy of black tourmaline, creating a secluded retreat
-
The new MASP expansion in São Paulo goes tallMuseu de Arte de São Paulo Assis Chateaubriand (MASP) expands with a project named after Pietro Maria Bardi (the institution's first director), designed by Metro Architects
-
An Upstate Sao Paulo house embraces calm and the surrounding rolling hillsBGM House, an Upstate Sao Paulo house by Jacobsen Arquitetura, is a low, balanced affair making the most of its rural setting
