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
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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International Women’s Day: leading female architects in their own wordsInternational Women’s Day 2022 and Women’s History Month: Wallpaper* talks to four leading female architects about dreams, heroines and navigating the architecture world
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Sou Fujimoto judges Wallpaper* Design Awards 2022We chat with Wallpaper* Design Awards 2022 judge Sou Fujimoto about his work in Japan and abroad, and our shortlisted designs and winners
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Dream the Combine cross-pollinates and conquersThe American Midwest is shaking up the world of architecture. As part of our Next Generation 2022 project, we’re exploring ten local emerging practices pioneering change. Here we meet Minneapolis duo Dream the Combine
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Architecture in the words of Paulo Mendes da RochaGreat modernist Paulo Mendes da Rocha passed away on 23 May 2021 aged 92. Here, we revisit the interview he gave Wallpaper* in 2010 for our Brazil-focussed June issue, talking about architecture, awards and his home country
