Brazil's Architecture Scene: Bienal Curators, UNESCO Heritage, and New Projects
In October 2023, Brazil's architectural landscape reveals a rich tapestry of cultural influences. The 15th São Paulo International Architecture Biennial has revealed its curatorial team for 2027, headed by Gabriela de Matos and Pedro Rossi, with support from assistants Raphael Bento and América da Conceição, along with five regional curators. The central theme is 'Architecture, Culture, and Sovereignty.' Notably, the Amazon Theaters, which include Theatro da Paz and Teatro Amazonas, have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Highlights also feature the Mercado Central in Rio de Janeiro and Capilla Luz de la Amazonía in Rondônia. Additionally, a federal court in Pará has ordered a preservation plan for Fordlândia, founded by Ford in the 1920s. An exhibition dedicated to Lucio Costa is ongoing at Casa da Arquitectura in Portugal until September 13.
Key facts
- 15th São Paulo International Architecture Biennial announced full curatorial team for 2027, including Gabriela de Matos and Pedro Rossi as directors, Raphael Bento and América da Conceição as curatorial assistants, and five regional curators.
- The Biennial's theme is 'Architecture, Culture, and Sovereignty', scheduled for September to November 2027 at the Oca in Ibirapuera Park.
- Brazil's Amazon Theaters (Theatro da Paz and Praça da República in Belém, and Teatro Amazonas and Largo de São Sebastião in Manaus) were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
- Tadu Arquitetura transformed a historic complex in Rio de Janeiro into the Mercado Central, preserving industrial character while adding new elements.
- Rogoski Arquitetura designed the Capilla Luz de la Amazonía in Cacoal, Rondônia, a 61-square-meter chapel inspired by Amazonian water lilies.
- SENAC São Paulo and Estudio Guto Requena created the Arena do Conhecimento, a 119-square-meter installation reusing over 400 kg of plastic waste.
- A federal court ordered the Brazilian government to preserve Fordlândia, the failed Ford Motor Company rubber town in the Amazon.
- The Casa da Arquitectura in Matosinhos, Portugal, is hosting an exhibition on Lucio Costa's archive of approximately 11,000 documents, curated by Ana Vaz Milheiro.
Entities
Artists
- Gabriela de Matos
- Pedro Rossi
- Raphael Bento
- América da Conceição
- Varusa
- Vilma Patricia
- Melissa Alves
- Letícia Notini
- Germana Konrath
- Henry Ford
- Lucio Costa
- Ana Vaz Milheiro
Institutions
- 15th São Paulo International Architecture Biennial
- UNESCO
- World Heritage Committee
- Tadu Arquitetura
- Rogoski Arquitetura
- SENAC São Paulo
- Estudio Guto Requena
- Ford Motor Company
- Casa da Arquitectura
- Granado
- São Paulo International Architecture Biennial
- Centro Universitário Senac
- Casa da Arquitetura
Locations
- Brazil
- São Paulo
- Ibirapuera Park
- Belém
- Manaus
- Rio de Janeiro
- Cacoal
- Rondônia
- Fordlândia
- Pará
- Matosinhos
- Portugal
- Amazon
- Oca