Architect
Lina Bo Bardi was born in Rome in 1914. But her story in Brazil began years later, in 1946. The architect's career began to gain prominence when she was still in Milan, where she worked with the renowned architect
Giò Ponti .
Lina's move to Brazil and her citizenship took place
after World War II , when her studio was bombed. After Italy's defeat, she and her husband moved to rebuild their lives in Brazil. Coming to Brazil brought - especially to São Paulo - magnificent works of pure prestige. True jewels of the city. It is no wonder that the architect was the first woman with Brazilian citizenship to receive the
Golden Lion for her body of work exhibited at the
17th Biennale di Venezia . Below, we have selected 5 memorable works that demonstrate the architect's talent. Check them out!
1- MASP
The
São Paulo Museum of Art is one of the most well-known and popular tourist attractions in São Paulo. With the aim of stimulating culture, the place has become a true space for socializing and artistic appreciation. Unlike other museums, MASP has an open space that invites the public to enter, even those who are not willing to see the exhibitions. And outside, it is very common to find street groups performing. MASP was conceived by Chateaubriand, who at the time (1940s to 1960s) was one of the most powerful men in the city, along with Lina's husband, the journalist Pietro Maria Bardi. Modern architecture, ahead of its time, that symbolizes the meaning of São Paulo. This was the result of Lina's masterpiece.
2- Glass House
Lina Bo Bardi's
Glass House is undoubtedly one of her most famous works, which transcends eras and inspires Brazilian architects to this day. Proof of this was the
rendered reproduction of Lina's house in Atibaia, in the interior of São Paulo, by
Charlotte Taylor and Nicholas Préaud . This work was the architect's pioneering work in Brazil and was none other than the house in which she and her husband lived for more than 40 years. If integrating projects with nature is a trend today, we can say that Lina was a visionary. With
glass structures that gave views of the environment, the architect preserved the greenery that surrounded the place and made it part of her residence.
The
Museum of Modern Art in São Paulo featured two great icons of Brazilian architecture:
Oscar Niemeyer and
Lina Bo Bardi . Located under the marquee of Ibirapuera Park - a work by Niemeyer - the building was
designed by the renowned Brazilian architect (1954), and underwent a renovation by Lina years later (1982), which is how we know it today. Combining the modernism of both architects, the MAM has become a classic. Its mirrored façade and circular shape represent this dynamic well, and today, it is one of the most visited museums in the city of São Paulo.
4- Sesc Pompeia
Sesc Pompéia is a true work of art. The simplicity of the concrete and exposed bricks make the space a landmark of modernity that delights all who visit it. It was thanks to this work that
Lina Bo Bardi received the award for the 6th best concrete construction in the world , by the newspaper
The Guardian . The biggest challenge related to the work was that it was originally a large factory, and Lina had to create her work and use her creativity to transform the space. Living spaces, a museum, a stage for plays and shows, a cafeteria, a park, among other activities are incorporated into the site.
5- Workshop Theater
And to close, nothing like showing here one of the last projects of Lina Bo Bardi's life and career:
Teatro Oficina . Built in the 1960s, the place was a true cultural hub in the city of São Paulo. With its industrial look, it was home to several movements that were thriving at the time. It was here that the
Tropicália movement was born, for example. In 1966 there was a fire at the site, which altered the architecture of the space (which never returned to being the same as before). In 1990, Lina used her experience with MASP to propose significant changes to the space. She invested in large glass walls - a trademark of the architect - and made the space more open and fluid for passage. The space is open to the public and hosts exhibitions, film screenings and visitors who want to see the architect's work up close.
