The Architecture of Brazil

The Architecture of Brazil 

The Architecture of Brazil is influenced by Europe, especially Portugal. It has a 500 years of history to the time when Pedro Cabral discovered Brazil in 1500. Portuguese colonial architecture was the first wave of architecture to go to Brazil. It is the basis for all Brazilian architecture of later centuries. In the 19th century during the time of the Empire of Brazil, Brazil followed European trends and adopted Neoclassical and Gothic Revival architecture. Then, in the 20th century especially in Brasilia, Brazil experimented with Modernist architecture.

Architecture in Brazil features a wide range of projects, including intricately crafted residential schemes and bold civic monuments.

There are many ways to get to know a city. There are those who, when commenting on a particular city they have visited, remember the gastronomy and restaurants they frequented. Other travelers will remember the music and the parties; others will remember specific markets or events. You, a keen ArchDaily reader, probably took careful note of the architecture above anything else.

Each of these means of knowing a city keeps specificities and riches, but none of them alone can recreate a faithful mental landscape of the real city. There is no problem in this, after all, the same city can be very different for two people who live in it or who are visiting it. Among these ways of getting to know a city, we focus on architecture, more specifically, the modern architecture of São Paulo, in an attempt to offer our readers a look at one of the largest city in South America from an architectural approach

French-Brazilian office Triptyque has released plans for a mixed-used, all-wooden highrise. Located on a 1,025-square-meter site in São Paulo, the 13-story building will contain a total of 4,700 square meters of space dedicated to co-working, co-living, and a restaurant. 

In many cities, rivers play an integral part in the formation of a local landscape and urban identity, contributing to economics, transport, and recreation, amongst other things. Unearthing the city's rivers to create new leisure spaces is one urban solution that is widely adopted by several cities around the world, in order to capitalize on the existing waterscape. In five years, the capital of South Korea resurrected its main river, the Cheonggyecheon, which had been buried under express streets and viaducts, restoring a sense of peace, green space, and national history to the city. Milan followed the same path: not long ago, the mayor of the Italian city Giuseppe Sala proposed reopening the navigable canals of Navigli for the public to interact with. 

UNESCO's World Heritage Committee, held its forty-first annual session in the Polish city of Krakow, inscribed twenty new cultural sites on its World Heritage List, including the historic city of Ahmedabad in India, archaeological sites in Cambodia and Brazil, and a “cultural landscape” in South Africa. The Committee also added extensions to two sites already on the list: Strasbourg in France, and the Bauhaus in Germany. On the other hand, the historic center of Vienna was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger as the Committee examined the state of conservation of one-hundred-and-fifty-four of its listed sites.

In the tropics, the sunlight falls generously. The leaked elements draw the shadow on floors and walls, an effect that transforms the entire environment for those who see it from the outside and inside. With the changing seasons and throughout the course of the day, natural light comes in different ways as it adds new components to architecture. In the course of the night, the artificial light passes through the small openings from the inside to the outside, making a sort of urban lamp that interacts with the shadows of its users and furniture. 

This particular type of architecture was adopted after World War Two, when function took precedence over form. Oscar Niemeyer remains one of the world’s best known modernist architects, and certainly left a very clear imprint on the architecture of Brazil.

Other well-known Brazilian architects, not necessarily following a modernist approach to their design, include Mendes da Rocha, Ruy Ohtake and Jaime Lerner.

Travellers that have a particular interest in architecture are invited to see the wonders of Brazil. They will be treated, not only to modernist examples of design and structure, but also to baroque and neoclassical influences. For these ones, the best cities to see are Salvador (the colonial capital that boasts stunning examples of the classic Portuguese style from long ago); Olinda and Minas Gerais (built during the 19th century, these areas are characterised by a distinct Baroque style); and Rio's Museu Nacional de Belas Artes, Belem's Teatro da Paz, and Manuas' Teatro Amazonas (for the neoclassical look and feel).

Some of the most beautiful monuments in terms of their fascinating architecture include:

• The National Congress of Brazil (Oscar Niemeyer) – this building is all about balance and equality.
• The Brazilian Museum of Sculpture (Paulo Mendes da Rocha) – a work of true imagination. 
• The Palacio da Alvorada (Oscar Niemeyer) – this building is elegant and progressive, the perfect place to host and entertain dignitaries. 
• Brazil's Civic Square (Burle Max) – this is an innovative structure that is somewhat symbolic. 
• The Rio De Janeiro Museum of Modern Art (Afonso Reidy) – see concrete and formed metal combine in a hub of design contrasts. 
• The Theatre in Ibirapuera Park (Oscar Niemeyer) – this theatre demonstrates Niemeyer’s dedication to peace and progress. 
• The SESC Pompeia Cultural Centre (Lina Bo Bardi) – the architecture of this centre is unique and combines natural wood with postmodern concrete and plenty of colour.