The chosen location to host the
30th edition of CASACOR Minas is the headquarters building of the PUC Minas Lourdes Campus, located at Praça da Liberdade. The campus was originally built to house the Izabela Hendrix Methodist Institute. Located at Rua da Bahia, 2,020, in the Lourdes neighborhood, the construction, inaugurated in 1941, is preparing to host PUC Lourdes. The building stands out for its
imposing nature and also for its
historical relevance. The building is protected by the appropriate authorities and is part of the Cultural Circuit Praça da Liberdade.
Designed in 1938 by the Italian architect
Raffaello Berti, author of more than 200 works in the city – including some important buildings such as the City Hall, the Minas Tennis Club, the Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, the headquarters of the Post Office, among others – the building also served as the headquarters of the architecture and urbanism faculty of the Izabela Hendrix Methodist Institute, considered one of the best courses in the field in the country. Acquired at the end of 2023 by PUC Minas, the
protected property will be adapted to house PUC Lourdes starting next year. Students from the courses in Architecture and Urbanism, Digital Games, Administration, Accounting, and Economic Sciences at PUC Minas Lourdes are already circulating around the headquarters building complex. The new unit promises to be a
reference in innovation and technology, hosting a series of initiatives in various areas. In Berti's design, one can perceive a
subtle influence of modernist traits, with a predominance of the
Art Deco style. The construction stands out for its precision in shapes and also for having included some aesthetic experiments at the time, such as the
tall and narrow windows, which form a very characteristic pattern of its facade. The layout is
symmetric and functional and the circulation leads to an external courtyard from where it is possible to contemplate the building. The
stone dust facade, another very striking characteristic of the era, is also a signature of the architect, present in other projects signed by him.
Created with the objective of presenting and promoting the work developed by architects, designers, and landscapers in the state, CASACOR Minas Gerais has established itself throughout its trajectory as
the longest-lasting and most important event in the segment, attracting the attention of the public and the market. Over the years, the exhibition has become increasingly robust, incorporating
new features, thus becoming the
main reference in the segment for professionals, retailers, manufacturers, and the public. As is tradition, CASACOR Minas is always on the move,
taking over new addresses throughout the city, contributing to awakening
new perspectives and reflections about our buildings and the fundamental role of architecture, design, and art in people's lives. "In this way, we are contributing to
tell a bit of the story of our city, in addition to highlighting the work of a series of creative professionals and companies in the segment," highlights
Juliana Grillo, the exhibition director.
The
30th edition of CASACOR Minas will take place throughout
August and September. "In addition to its historical importance, the building chosen for this commemorative edition stands out for its
generous projects, with high ceilings, a wide outdoor area, in addition to a central courtyard that will serve as the stage for a series of events and gatherings throughout the exhibition. We can assure you that this will be a very special edition, allowing the public to experience various formats of occupation and enjoyment of that space," highlights the director
Eduardo Faleiro.
