Brazilian brutalist architect Paulo Mendes da Rocha dies at 92
Paulo Mendes da Rocha, an influential architect in both Brazil and worldwide, passed away at the age of 92. He was born in 1928 in Vitória, Brazil, and launched his career in São Paulo during the 1950s as a member of the "Paulista brutalist" movement. In 2006, he was awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize, followed by the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Biennale in 2016. His notable works include the Clube Atlético Paulistano gymnasium, completed in 1957, the Museum of Contemporary Art (1975), the Forma Furniture showroom (1987), and the Museum of Brazilian Sculpture (1987-1992). He also received the Mies van der Rohe Award in 2000 and the Order of Cultural Merit in 2004 and 2013, and designed the Paulistano chair.
Key facts
- Paulo Mendes da Rocha died at age 92.
- He was a central figure in Brazilian and global architecture.
- Born in 1928 in Vitória, Brazil.
- Began career in São Paulo in the 1950s as a member of the 'Paulista brutalist' avant-garde.
- Awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2006.
- Awarded the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Biennale in 2016.
- Won national competition for Clube Atlético Paulistano gymnasium in 1957.
- Won Grand Prize of the Presidency of the Republic at the 6th São Paulo Biennial in 1961.
- Won competition for Brazilian pavilion at Osaka Expo 70 in 1968.
- Finalist for Centre Georges Pompidou design in 1969.
- Notable projects: Museum of Contemporary Art (1975), Forma Furniture showroom (1987), Museum of Brazilian Sculpture (MUBE, 1987-1992).
- Led renovation of São Paulo State Art Gallery, winning Mies van der Rohe Award for Latin American Architecture in 2000.
- Honorary Member of International Council of Portuguese Language Architects.
- Represented Brazil at 7th International Architecture Exhibition of Venice Biennale.
- Received Order of Cultural Merit twice (2004, 2013).
- Designed Paulistano chair, produced by French company OBJEKTO.
Entities
Artists
- Paulo Mendes da Rocha
- Vilanova Artigas
- Oscar Niemeyer
Institutions
- Pritzker Architecture Prize
- Venice Biennale
- Clube Atlético Paulistano
- São Paulo Biennial
- Osaka Expo 70
- Centre Georges Pompidou
- University of São Paulo
- Museum of Contemporary Art
- Forma Furniture
- Museum of Brazilian Sculpture (MUBE)
- São Paulo State Art Gallery
- Mies van der Rohe Award for Latin American Architecture
- International Council of Portuguese Language Architects
- Order of Cultural Merit
- OBJEKTO
- Artribune
Locations
- Vitória
- Brazil
- São Paulo
- Osaka
- Venice
- Lisbon
- Bucharest
- Santa Fe
- Stuttgart