1. ArchDaily
  2. Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo: The Latest Architecture and News

Paulo Mendes da Rocha: “Architecture Does Not Desire to Be Functional; It Wants to Be Opportune”

Paulo Mendes da Rocha is one of Brazil's most celebrated architects. And, in spite of the fact that very little of his work can be found outside São Paulo, his “Paulista Brutalism” is revered worldwide, earning him the Pritzker Prize in 2006 and, just last week, the Royal Institute of British Architects' Gold Medal. In light of the RIBA Gold Medal news, as part of his “City of Ideas” column, Vladimir Belogolovsky here shares an interview conducted with Mendes da Rocha in 2014. The interview was conducted in Mendes da Rocha's office in São Paulo with the help of Brazilian architect Wilson Barbosa Neto acting as translator, and was originally published in Belogolovsky's book, “Conversations with Architects in the Age of Celebrity.”

Paulo Mendes da Rocha: “Architecture Does Not Desire to Be Functional; It Wants to Be Opportune” - Image 1 of 4Paulo Mendes da Rocha: “Architecture Does Not Desire to Be Functional; It Wants to Be Opportune” - Image 2 of 4Paulo Mendes da Rocha: “Architecture Does Not Desire to Be Functional; It Wants to Be Opportune” - Image 3 of 4Paulo Mendes da Rocha: “Architecture Does Not Desire to Be Functional; It Wants to Be Opportune” - Image 4 of 4Paulo Mendes da Rocha: “Architecture Does Not Desire to Be Functional; It Wants to Be Opportune” - More Images+ 22

The World's Most Creative Neighborhoods: Metropolis Names Mumbai, Lagos and Lisbon Among Top Ten

From Yaba in Lagos to the suburb of Bandra in Mumbai, Metropolis Magazine provides a scenic tour around the world’s “most creative” neighborhoods. Spread across ten rapidly growing cities like Cape Town and Turin, the article provides a comprehensive glimpse into these lesser discussed hubs of creativity.

KAA / Studio Arthur Casas

KAA / Studio Arthur Casas - Restaurant, Table, Chair, LightingKAA / Studio Arthur Casas - Restaurant, Door, Facade, Beam, ArchKAA / Studio Arthur Casas - Restaurant, Table, ChairKAA / Studio Arthur Casas - Restaurant, Beam, Table, ChairKAA / Studio Arthur Casas - More Images+ 7

•
São Paulo, Brazil
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  612 m²
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2008
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Brick Marmoraria, Casa Matriz, Casual Móveis Exteriores, Herança Cultural, Ibratin, +7

CCF / GOAA - Gusmão Otero Arquitetos Associados

CCF / GOAA - Gusmão Otero Arquitetos Associados - Houses, FacadeCCF / GOAA - Gusmão Otero Arquitetos Associados - Houses, Bedroom, Door, Table, ChairCCF / GOAA - Gusmão Otero Arquitetos Associados - Houses, Facade, Beam, Door, Handrail, ArchCCF / GOAA - Gusmão Otero Arquitetos Associados - Houses, Deck, Facade, Handrail, BalconyCCF / GOAA - Gusmão Otero Arquitetos Associados - More Images+ 30

•
São Paulo, Brazil
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  70 m²
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2015
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Brigato, Marcenaria Assis, Serralheria CYW

CSF House / Felipe Hess Arquitetos

CSF House  / Felipe Hess Arquitetos - Renovation, Table, Chair, LightingCSF House  / Felipe Hess Arquitetos - Renovation, Garden, FacadeCSF House  / Felipe Hess Arquitetos - Renovation, Kitchen, Beam, Table, Chair, Lighting, CountertopCSF House  / Felipe Hess Arquitetos - Renovation, Garden, FacadeCSF House  / Felipe Hess Arquitetos - More Images+ 47

•
São Paulo, Brazil
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  800 m²
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2016
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Cia de Iluminação, Legno Marcenaria, Reka Iluminação
  • Professionals: Lacaz Broggin

Modulo Rebouças / Dal Pian Arquitetos

Modulo Rebouças / Dal Pian Arquitetos - Office Buildings, Facade, ColumnModulo Rebouças / Dal Pian Arquitetos - Office Buildings, Facade, LightingModulo Rebouças / Dal Pian Arquitetos - Office Buildings, Facade, CityscapeModulo Rebouças / Dal Pian Arquitetos - Office Buildings, Facade, Beam, LightingModulo Rebouças / Dal Pian Arquitetos - More Images+ 21

Berrini One / aflalo/gasperini arquitetos

Berrini  One / aflalo/gasperini arquitetos - BuildingsBerrini  One / aflalo/gasperini arquitetos - Exterior Photography, Buildings, CityscapeBerrini  One / aflalo/gasperini arquitetos - BuildingsBerrini  One / aflalo/gasperini arquitetos - Exterior Photography, Buildings, FacadeBerrini  One / aflalo/gasperini arquitetos - More Images+ 24

  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  63032 m²
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2009
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  3N Madeiras, Deca, Di Mármore, Diagrama Ar, E-Vertical, +12

Butanta House / LAB Arquitetos

Butanta House / LAB Arquitetos - HousesButanta House / LAB Arquitetos - HousesButanta House / LAB Arquitetos - HousesButanta House / LAB Arquitetos - HousesButanta House / LAB Arquitetos - More Images+ 20

•
São Paulo, Brazil
  • Architects: LAB Arquitetos
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  470 m²
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2013
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Celite, Deca, Suvinil

Mandíbula / Sub Estúdio

Mandíbula / Sub Estúdio - Adaptive Reuse, Beam, Table, ChairMandíbula / Sub Estúdio - Adaptive ReuseMandíbula / Sub Estúdio - Adaptive Reuse, Table, Chair, LightingMandíbula / Sub Estúdio - Adaptive Reuse, Bathroom, Lighting, ToiletMandíbula / Sub Estúdio - More Images+ 26

•
São Paulo, Brazil

Airport Pavilion / Spadoni AA

Airport Pavilion / Spadoni AA - Pavilion, Facade, BeamAirport Pavilion / Spadoni AA - Pavilion, Facade, ColumnAirport Pavilion / Spadoni AA - Pavilion, Facade, Beam, ColumnAirport Pavilion / Spadoni AA - Pavilion, Facade, ColumnAirport Pavilion / Spadoni AA - More Images+ 12

•
São Paulo, Brazil
  • Architects: Spadoni AA
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  3982 m²
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2013
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Coliseum, Deca, Docol, Ergo, Hunter Douglas, +5
  • Professionals: Lampur, Prodenge

Live Biz / Studio R

Live Biz / Studio R - Offices InteriorsLive Biz / Studio R - Offices InteriorsLive Biz / Studio R - Offices InteriorsLive Biz / Studio R - Offices InteriorsLive Biz / Studio R - More Images+ 19

  • Architects: Studio R
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  60 m²
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2014
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Bonshop, Persil Decor, Reka Iluminação, Tergoprint, Uniflex

MLA House / Jacobsen Arquitetura

MLA House / Jacobsen Arquitetura - Houses, Deck, Facade, Beam, Stairs, Handrail, Balcony, LightingMLA House / Jacobsen Arquitetura - Houses, Garden, Facade, Bench, ChairMLA House / Jacobsen Arquitetura - Houses, Garden, Facade, Beam, Table, ChairMLA House / Jacobsen Arquitetura - Houses, Garden, Facade, DoorMLA House / Jacobsen Arquitetura - More Images+ 8

•
São Paulo, Brazil

House in Butantã / 23 SUL Arquitetura

House in Butantã  / 23 SUL Arquitetura - Houses, Facade, DoorHouse in Butantã  / 23 SUL Arquitetura - Houses, FacadeHouse in Butantã  / 23 SUL Arquitetura - Houses, Facade, BeamHouse in Butantã  / 23 SUL Arquitetura - Houses, Stairs, Handrail, Facade, Table, ChairHouse in Butantã  / 23 SUL Arquitetura - More Images+ 17

•
São Paulo, Brazil
  • Architects: 23 SUL
    : 23 SUL Arquitetura
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  153 m²
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2014
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Composite Estruturas Metálicas, PlacoArt, Vidraçaria Boa Nova

A.S. Barbershop / Felipe Hess Arquitetos

A.S. Barbershop  / Felipe Hess Arquitetos - Store, ChairA.S. Barbershop  / Felipe Hess Arquitetos - Store, Table, Lighting, Bench, ChairA.S. Barbershop  / Felipe Hess Arquitetos - Store, Door, Chair, TableA.S. Barbershop  / Felipe Hess Arquitetos - Store, Chair, TableA.S. Barbershop  / Felipe Hess Arquitetos - More Images+ 18

•
São Paulo, Brazil
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2016
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  ALM Móveis Planejados, Reka Iluminação, Van de Velde
  • Professionals: Dencati Engenharia

Corujas Building / FGMF

Corujas Building  / FGMF - Institutional Buildings, Facade, StairsCorujas Building  / FGMF - Institutional Buildings, Facade, CityscapeCorujas Building  / FGMF - Institutional Buildings, Facade, LightingCorujas Building  / FGMF - Institutional Buildings, Deck, Facade, Beam, BenchCorujas Building  / FGMF - More Images+ 50

  • Architects: FGMF
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  6880 m²
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2014
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Alfalux, CPI Engenharia, Concresteel, Portinari, Projetos de Esquadrias, +4

Jean Nouvel Unveils Design for Hotel and Residential Tower in São Paulo

Jean Nouvel has unveiled the design of his latest project: a 22-story tower located near Avenida Paulista in São Paulo. The skyscraper, dubbed Rosewood Tower, is part of Cidade Matarazzo, a 27,000-square-meter site containing historic buildings that once made up the Filomena Matarazzo maternity hospital. A heritage-listed site, the Allard Group is restoring the buildings and creating a cultural center, of which Nouvel’s new tower will be a central component.

Set to contain a hotel as well as residential units, Nouvel’s tower is designed to be a vertical continuation of the local landscape. Thus, the nearly 100-meter-tall tower develops at different levels, forming terraces and large gardens with small and medium-sized trees.

São Luís Sports & Arts Gymnasium / Urdi Arquitetura

São Luís Sports & Arts Gymnasium  / Urdi Arquitetura - Gymnasium, Facade, BeamSão Luís Sports & Arts Gymnasium  / Urdi Arquitetura - Gymnasium, Facade, Chair, CityscapeSão Luís Sports & Arts Gymnasium  / Urdi Arquitetura - GymnasiumSão Luís Sports & Arts Gymnasium  / Urdi Arquitetura - Gymnasium, Handrail, BeamSão Luís Sports & Arts Gymnasium  / Urdi Arquitetura - More Images+ 47

•
São Paulo, Brazil

Bento Noronha Residence / Metro Arquitetos

Bento Noronha Residence  / Metro Arquitetos - HousesBento Noronha Residence  / Metro Arquitetos - HousesBento Noronha Residence  / Metro Arquitetos - HousesBento Noronha Residence  / Metro Arquitetos - HousesBento Noronha Residence  / Metro Arquitetos - More Images+ 23

•
São Paulo, Brazil
  • Architects: Metro Arquitetos Associados
    : Metro Arquitetos
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  438 m²
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2015
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Brasil Imperial, Concrestil, Deca, Lumisystem, Marquesmad Marcenaria, +1