An expert in modernist-inspired but truly contemporary and bespoke residential design, Marcio Kogan is coordinating from his Sao Paulo practice, Studio MK27, projects in Brazil as well as internationally. He also recently tried his hand at furniture design, creating a beautiful series of one-off pieces that he presented at the MiCasa design store.
Now seems to be a good time for Brazil. Would you agree?
Indeed, I do agree.
What instigated the change you think?
It was the economy, but I also have this theory that Brazilian architecture had a hangover after the modernism era! Le Corbusier came to design the Ministry of Education and Health and many local architects saw it and were inspired by it and transformed it into a Brazilian thing. In my opinion, this was even better than Le Corbusier. What was very interesting also is that in Brazil at the time, there was absolutely nothing; it was isolated from the world and then suddenly you get what may be some of the best architecture of the world.
The legacy of Modernism is so strong here that I wonder if, in any way, that could complicate things for contemporary Brazilian architects?
That may have been true before, but we are in a generation that is starting to turn this around. When I was in architecture school, I hated Niemeyer as all the teachers wanted us to follow his example, while I wanted to do something a bit different. Now, of course, I understand and fully respect his work.
What else should we visit in Brazil?
Undoubtedly, the Le Corbusier building in Rio as well as the Parque Guinle by Lucio Costa that's also in Rio.
What were your main influences? What elements of the Modernist movement did you keep in your architecture?
I think, in a way, it is the same Modernism, only after 50 years. It has a more contemporary vision, new materials and new technological options.
You father was also in the construction business. How did that influence you?
He passed away when I was young but still he was a huge influence for me. It must have been in my DNA! My house was exactly like Jacque Tati’s Villa Arpel (of Mon Oncle). They wanted to do a high tech house and it was the Fifties and everything was automatic. Technology didn't always work as well back then! When the tram went past our house and it stopped outside, we had a small power cut.
Do you consider you architecture to be quite Brazilian then?
Yes, it is quite Brazilian.
How would you describe Brazilian architecture? What would make your architecture Brazilian?
The openness and the huge integration of the interior and the exterior. This is also our mission when we design abroad: to open up the buildings to the outside world!
What you feel are the biggest advantages of being a young architect in Brazil today?
We have many advantages, but many problems too. We don't have many public building, but we have a lot of small buildings and private projects. The city of Brazil is a bit like the Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino: flexible and experimental and organic. It's still growing.
What else are you working on now?
A photographic studio in Sao Paulo, a condominium in Portugal, interiors of a hotel in Portugal with the same client. About 90% of our work is in private houses.
So, do you enjoy working mainly with private houses?
I do. I am very perfectionist and like detail. We often design everything in a house, from handrails to one-off pieces of furniture.
Architect: Marcos Acayaba
Project: Acayaba House, 1997
Read our Q&A with Marcos Acayaba
Project: Baeta House, 1993
Project: Olga House, 1990
Project: Pindorama Pavilion, 1985
Project: Terpins House, 1992
Architect: Angelo Bucci of SPBR
Project: Apartment building in Lugano
Read our Q&A with Angelo Bucci
Project: Atilba Leonel School in Sao Paulo
Project: House in Santa Teresa
Project: Housing complex in Algarve
Project: Mediatheque PUC in Rio de Janeiro
Architect: Bernardes + Jacobsen
Project: Guaruja House, 2007
Photography: Leonardo Finotti
Project: Guaruja House, 2007
Photography: Leonardo Finotti
Project: JH House
Photography: Leonardo Finotti
Project: JZ House
Photography: Leonardo Finotti
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
Project: Igatu Museum
Project: ISA
Photography: Daniel Ducci
Project: Conjunto KKKK
Photography: Nelson Kon
Project: Rodin Museum
Photography: Nelson Kon
Architect: Arthur Casas
Project: PK Iporanga residence
Project: KAA restaurant, Sao Paulo
Project: MP House
Project: Avenue Atlantica apartment, 2009
Project: AC Iporanga, 2005
Architect: Marcio Kogan
Project: Bahia
Photography: Nelson Kon
Read our Q&A with Marcio Kogan
Project: Micasa Volume B
Photography: Nelson Kon
Project: Osler House
Photography: Pedro Vannucchi
Project: Paraty House
Photography: Nelson Kon
Project: Prime Time
Architect: Eduardo Longo
Project: Casa GL
Project: Casa GL
Project: Casa CMC
Project: Casa CAL
Project: Casa CEG
Project: Apartamento MG
Project: Apartamento MG
Project: Proposta Para O Elevado Costa E Silva
Project: Proposta Para O Elevado Costa E Silva
Project: Proposta Praca Roosevelt - Praia Roosevelt
Project: Apartamento do Bola
Project: Casa Bola Galia
Project: Casa Bola Galia
Project: Casa Bola Galia
Project: Casa CMC
Architect: Fernando de Mello Franco of MMBB
Project: Boaaava residence
Photography: Nelson Kon
Read our Q&A with Fernando de Mello Franco
Project: Antonico Creek reurbanisation - Plan of the typical sector
Project: Headquarters of Corporacion Andina de Fomento, Caracas, Venezuela
Photography: Nelson Kon
Project: Music centre at Campos do Jordao
Photography: Nelson Kon
Project: Music centre at Campos do Jordao
Photography: Nelson Kon
Project: Vila Roma residence
Photography: Nelson Kon
Architect: Ruy Ohtake
Project: FCC Biulding, 2005
Photography: Nelson Kon
Read our Q&A with Ruy Ohtake
Project: FCC Building, 2005
Photography: Nelson Kon
Project: Instituto Tomie Ohtake, 2003
Photography: Leonardo Finotti
Project: Instituto Tomie Ohtake, 2003
Photography: Leonardo Finotti
Project: Instituto Tomie Ohtake, 2003
Photography: Leonardo Finotti
Project: Instituto Tomie Ohtake, 2003
Photography: Leonardo Finotti
Project: Instituto Tomie Ohtake, 2003
Photography: Leonardo Finotti
Project: Op Art Flagship Store, 2009
Photography: ROAU Archive
Project: Op Art Flagship Store, 2009
Photography: ROAU Archive
Project: Daniel Rosseler Residence, 2009
Photography: Daniel Ducci
Project: Daniel Rosseler Residence, 2009
Photography: Daniel Ducci
Project: Daniel Rosseler Residence, 2009
Photography: Daniel Ducci
Project: Daniel Rosseler Residence, 2009
Photography: Daniel Ducci
Project: Daniel Rosseler Residence, 2009
Photography: Daniel Ducci
Project: Daniel Rosseler Residence, 2009
Photography: Daniel Ducci
Project: Daniel Rosseler Residence, 2009
Photography: Daniel Ducci
Project: Zuleika Halpern Residence, 2005
Photography: Turca Reines
Project: Zuleika Halpern Residence, 2005
Photography: Turca Reines
Project: Santa Catarina Building, 2003
Photography: Daniel Ducci, Carlos Gueller
Project: Santa Catarina Building, 2003
Photography: Daniel Ducci, Carlos Gueller
Architect: Isay Weinfeld Architects
Project: Havaianas
Photography: Nelson Kon
Project: Fasano Las Piedras Hotel
Photography: Luiza Sigulem
Project: Midrash
Photography: Leonardo Finotti
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Modernist architecture: inspiration from across the globeModernist architecture has had a tremendous influence on today’s built environment, making these midcentury marvels some of the most closely studied 20th-century buildings; here, we explore the genre by continent
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Marcio Kogan’s Studio MK27 celebrated in this new monograph from Rizzoli‘The Architecture of Studio MK27. Lights, camera, action’ is a richly illustrated journey through the evolution of this famed Brazilian architecture studio
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We visit Villa Baizeau in Tunisia, Le Corbusier’s only project in AfricaWe explore Villa Baizeau in Tunisia, Le Corbusier’s only project in Africa, through an exhibition on the project at Tunis gallery 32bis
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Jean Prouvé’s House of Better Days on show at Galerie Patrick Seguin in ParisThe Maison Les Jours Meilleurs, or House of Better Days, by Jean Prouvé is explored in a new show at Galerie Patrick Seguin in Paris
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Fasano Itaim brings the hospitality brand full circle back to São PauloFasano Itaim is the luxury Brazilian hospitality brand’s second outpost in São Paulo – and it just opened with a design by Studio MK27
