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
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Hella Jongerius’ ‘Angry Animals’ take a humorous and poignant bite out of the climate crisisAt Salon 94 in New York, Hella Jongerius presents animal ceramics, ‘Bead Tables’ and experimental ‘Textile Studies’ – three series that challenge traditional ideas about function, craft, and narrative
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A photographic study of a family hi-fi store is a vivid portrait of a small businessFashion photographer Nik Hartley looked behind the scenes at Wilkinson’s Hi-Fi, a longstanding part of its Lancashire community.
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The Contestant: inside the dark and exploitative beginnings of reality TVClair Titley’s The Contestant examines a sensationalist moment in TV history, before Big Brother meant reality became an accepted part of popular culture
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Restoring São Paulo: Planta’s mesmerising Brazilian brand of midcentury ‘urban recycling’Brazilian developer Planta Inc set out to restore São Paulo’s historic centre and return it to the heyday of tropical modernism
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All aboard Casa Quinta, floating in Brazil’s tropical rainforestCasa Quinta by Brazilian studio Arquipélago appears to float at canopy level in the heart of the rainforest that flanks the picturesque town of Paraty on the coast between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro
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Feel like a movie? The top 50 films of all time according to Marcio KoganMarcio Kogan's top 50 films of all time; the architect taps into his passion for the moving image and shares with us his recommendations
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Studio mk27 and Marcio Kogan’s greatest hits: from voluptuous villas to relaxing retreatsStudio mk27, led by Wallpaper* guest editor Marcio Kogan, is behind buildings that make us swoon; here are the best of the best
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Wallpaper* Architects’ Directory 2024: meet the practicesIn the Wallpaper* Architects Directory 2024, our latest guide to exciting, emerging practices from around the world, 20 young studios show off their projects and passion
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How guest editor Marcio Kogan, during a visit to the movies, ‘discovered that something else exists in the world, real poetry’Marcio Kogan is a guest editor of Wallpaper* October 2024. In his dedicated section, we discover how the world of cinema’s loss was architecture’s gain when a feature film failed but a dream space creator rose from the ashes
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Brazilian modernism finds its latest expression in Studio Porto’s AG HouseStudio Porto, an emerging Brazilian practice, joins the Wallpaper* Architects’ Directory 2024
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A modernist São Paulo apartment finds a new lease of lifeA spacious modernist São Paulo apartment in the neighbourhood of Higienópolis gets a thorough renovation by Brazilian architects Bloco Arquitetos
