Famous for his works that have won awards worldwide, as well as for his philosophy on architecture as a public tool for the city,
Brazilian architect Paulo Mendes da Rocha passed away on May 23, at the age of 92. He was battling lung cancer and was hospitalized in São Paulo. Decorated for his work, Paulo Mendes da Rocha has received awards such as
the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale ,
the Imperial Prize for the Arts in Japan ,
the RIBA Gold Medal and the
Pritzker Prize in 2006. If you live in or know São Paulo, you have certainly come across some of the famous architect's projects - despite the fact that he has already signed projects in other states and even outside the country.
Who was Paulo Mendes da Rocha?
Before presenting his best-known works, it is important to understand who the urban planner was and his importance for architecture in Brazil . Despite his vast
work centered in São Paulo , Paulo Mendes da Rocha was born in Vitória, on October 25, 1928. Son of an engineer father, this inspired him and gave him a more comprehensive vision of the
role of architecture and its relationship with geography . In 1954, Mendes da Rocha graduated in
Architecture and Urbanism from the Mackenzie Presbyterian University . From 1960 onwards, he began his academic career at FAU,
the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism at USP . During his career, the architect worked as an assistant to
João Batista Vilanova Artigas and was a professor at the university where he assumed the position of president of the
Brazilian Institute of Architects . Below, discover some of the most important works in
Paulo Mendes da Rocha 's career.
Sesc May 24th
With a very modern architecture that stands out in the
urban center of São Paulo , between 24 de Maio and Dom José de Barros streets, Sesc was a project by Mendes da Rocha completed in 2017. The space is covered by an exposed
cement covering that takes up almost the entire building. Oh! And a smart tip for those who want to see the space is to visit the
water mirror , which is on the floor below the pool.
With 15 cm of water, people can lean over when they are wet, without water falling on the street or on people passing by.
Sao Paulo Art Gallery
Despite having been designed in the 19th century by the
architect Ramos de Azevedo , the building underwent extensive renovation in the 1990s by Mendes da Rocha. The Pinacoteca, as we know it today, is greatly influenced by the architect's style. One of the maneuvers adopted for the project was the
rotation of the main visiting axis through a subtle intersection of the bridges with the empty spaces - such as the internal courtyards - which contributed to a deeper relationship between the
building and the city .
Despite the strong Brazilian influence on São Paulo architecture, his work was not restricted and the
Coach Museum is a beautiful example of this. Located in Lisbon, Portugal, the museum has
a main pavilion where exhibitions take place and an annex with administrative and leisure areas , such as: reception and administration, restaurant and auditorium. Once again, it is worth highlighting the
minimalist potential of Paulo Mendes da Rocha's works , which feature a
simplistic concrete atmosphere , but with functional solutions of a good urban planning project of a timeless nature.
Museum of the Portuguese Language
(Mrsandman Creative Commons/CASACOR)
The
Museum of the Portuguese Language was created by Paulo Mendes da Rocha. His influential architectural influence was even preserved for the
restoration of the space after the fire it suffered in 2015 . The site had ample space for exhibitions and investment in technology was essential. For the new project, some concepts discussed when Mendes took over are back in the spotlight and are intended to make a good impression in the restructuring of the space.
The Museum is expected to reopen for visitors on July 5th of this year. Patriarch's Square
The
Praça do Patriarca project is a true urban intervention
located near the Viaduto do Chá in São Paulo . The
futuristic style of the construction contrasts with the old buildings in downtown São Paulo. The movement of people is fluid and free. The project proposes a real change in road traffic, as well as in bus stops in the region.
Gerassi House
Despite his strong influence in architecture and urban planning, Mendes da Rocha also ventured into
residential projects .
Casa Gerassi is a beautiful example of this. The house was built for a couple with two daughters and used a
prefabricated wired concrete structure , which ensured agility, modernity and moderate cost to the final result of the project. Inside, the architect invested in
sophisticated furniture , such as a high-end leather armchair. In addition, the space was quite open, spacious and airy so that residents could make the most of the
natural light .
MuBE
The
Brazilian Sculpture Museum , located in
Jardim Europa , in São Paulo, was also a work contemplated by the architect
Paulo Mendes da Rocha . The space came about through an initiative by the neighborhood residents' association that wanted to prevent the construction of a shopping mall on the site - which consists of a building integrated into a garden designed by
Burle Marx . Mendes da Rocha's influence is noticeable when analyzing the contemporary atmosphere and the cement coating - a true trademark of the architect.
