For those who are passionate about architecture, design and urban planning or for those who simply like and value the capital's great architectural landmarks, we have listed buildings that define the city for all São Paulo residents and its myriad of inhabitants.

1- Glass House

Considered an icon of modern architecture in Brazil, the Glass House was the first project built by architect Lina Bo Bardi . The subdivision of the former Muller Carioba Tea Farm, in the Morumbi region of São Paulo, was the site chosen for the construction, started between 1950 and 1951. The residence got its name from its imposing glass façade that appears to float on pillars . Its garden, which covers an area of 7,000 m², expresses the couple's love for Brazil's natural wealth. Carefully planned and planted by Lina herself, the low vegetation of the time was transformed into a private forest, with trails marked with stones and ceramic shards. It is worth remembering the iconic buildings designed by the architect, such as MASP and Sesc Pompéia .

2- Oca - Ibirapuera Park

The Lucas Nogueira Garcez Pavilion, affectionately named Oca , was designed by Oscar Niemeyer in 1951 to form part of the original architectural complex of Ibirapuera Park , built to commemorate the IV Centenary of the City of São Paulo in 1954. Today the building has been used to house temporary exhibitions. Ibirapuera Park, in its 1.6 million square meters, houses a lake, running tracks, the Biennial Pavilion, the Afro Brazil Museum, the OCA, MAM, MAC-USP, Obelisk, Sports Gym, Planetarium, Auditorium and much more. Its gardens were designed by landscaper Otávio Augusto Teixeira Mendes , based on the concept and preliminary design by landscaper Roberto Burle Marx . The historic buildings, such as the pavilions that house museums, the auditorium, the marquee, among others, were designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer with structural designs by engineer Joaquim Cardozo. The entire park is listed by the National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage.

3- Sesc May 24th

The architect Ramos de Azevedo and the Italians Cláudio Rossi and Domiziano Rossi began construction of the Theater in 1903, and its inauguration took place eight years later, on September 12, 1911. Influenced by the Paris Opera, the luxurious construction finally placed São Paulo in the international itinerary of world shows. The Renaissance details of the façade are just the beginning; inside, visitors can find various ornaments such as crystals, frescoes and marble.

5- Moreira Salles Institute (IMS)

In mid-2017, the cultural center of the Instituto Moreira Salles (IMS) emerged as a new artistic hub in São Paulo. The building, located on Avenida Paulista , sought, in numerous ways, to internalize public life and appropriate its surroundings. The new building was designed by the Andrade Morettin Arquitetos office, where the search for sustainable models created the current model, with seven floors and all floors having double height ceilings. There are 1,200 m² of exhibition area, with photography, iconography, music and literature. Thus, the Moreira Salles Institute is located at Avenida Paulista, 2,424 and has free admission.

6- Picture Gallery

Built in the last decade of the 19th century to house the Liceu de Artes e Ofícios, which was never fully completed. In November 1905, the first adaptation works were carried out, still under the plan and direction of the architect Ramos de Azevedo , to receive the first collection of only 26 works belonging to the State and which became the Pinacoteca. Today, the collection has around nine thousand pieces, which portray Brazilian production from the 19th century to the present day . While the second floor houses the museum's permanent collection , the space on the first floor of the building is reserved for temporary exhibitions, which take place periodically. In 1998, the building was reopened with a complete adaptation led by master Paulo Mendes da Rocha in partnership with Eduardo Colonelli and Weliton Ricoy Torres .

7- Italy Building

The history of the building begins well before its construction. In 1911, the Circolo Italiano was created and, a few years later, in 1923, a small headquarters was built on the land where the Edifício Itália is today, which began to gain more and more popularity. increasingly stronger and more important. In 1960, it was decided that a larger headquarters should be created for the entity. Designed by architect Franz Heep , the building was inaugurated in 1965, after almost five years of construction. The second tallest building in São Paulo has brilliantly surpassed expectations. And it continues to attract the attention of locals and tourists alike for its modernist architecture, its location and, without a doubt, its 156-meter height.

8- Mario de Andrade Library

Founded in 1925 as the Municipal Library of São Paulo, it is the largest public library in the city and the second largest public library in the country , surpassed only by the National Library. The growth of its collection and services led to the library moving to its current building. , located on Rua da Consolação . Opened in 1942, the new building, designed by French architect Jacques Pilon , is considered a landmark of Modern architecture in São Paulo. The restoration and modernization of the Library was carried out by the Piratininga Arquitetos Associados office. In 2005, work began on the integration plan of several technical disciplines: architecture, restoration, acoustics, foundation, structural and installation engineering. From the beginning, we understood contemporary use as a condition for the preservation of architectural heritage, and this required careful analysis of the Library's operation to define the project guidelines”, says Renata Semin, partner at Piratininga Arquitetos.