casa da arquitectura honors paulo mendes da rocha with 'constructed geographies' exhibition

two exhibitions dedicated to Paulo Mendes da Rocha

Casa da Arquitectura in Portugal honors the late Brazilian Pritzker laureate, Paulo Mendes da Rocha, with two comprehensive exhibitions and a collection of his work, on view until February 2024. The first exhibition, ‘Constructed Geographies: Paulo Mendes da Rocha,’ curated by Jean-Louis Cohen and Vanessa Grossman with scientific consultancy by Catherine Otondo, showcases an extensive selection from the vast collection entrusted to Casa da Arquitectura.

Simultaneously, visitors can explore ‘Paulo: Beyond Drawing – Talking with Paulo Mendes da Rocha,’ another exhibition in Casa Gallery curated by Marta Moreira and Rui Furtado and designed by Ricardo Bak Gordon. This display offers an opportunity to delve into the visionary architect’s worldview and gain insight into the myriad themes that influenced his work. Additionally, a program of activities led by Nuno Sampaio, Catherine Otondo, and Vanessa Grossman accompanies these exhibitions, further enriching the experience for visitors.

Capela de Sao Pedro, Campos do Jordao SP | image @ Leonardo Finotti/Casa da Arquitectura Archiveall

sharing his oeuvre worldwide

In December 2019, Paulo Mendes da Rocha donated his collection to Casa da Arquitectura (see more here) with the hope of making his work accessible to architecture students worldwide. Embracing their mission of promoting knowledge and accessibility, Casa da Arquitectura established the Study and Documentation Centre to support research on architectural works and facilitate their publication within the academic community. They also launched the Digital Building, allowing free worldwide access to their diverse collections.

Four years later, Casa da Arquitectura celebrates the donation by organizing two exhibitions, releasing an influential book written by essayists from various nationalities, and hosting a program of activities across multiple countries. Through the dedicated efforts of esteemed curators, planners, and designers, Casa da Arquitectura pays homage to Paulo Mendes da Rocha’s extraordinary legacy as one of the greatest architects of our time.

Capela de Sao Pedro, Campos do Jordao SP | image @ Leonardo Finotti/Casa da Arquitectura Archive

Paulo Mendes da Rocha’s donated collection to Casa da Arquitectura features his entire professional production, starting from the late 1950s. This extensive collection comprises drawings, texts, photographs, and models representing his early co-authored projects as well as iconic works like Casa Butantã and the Brazilian Pavilion in Osaka. It also includes collaborations with other São Paulo-based offices and documents related to his academic career, personal correspondences, furniture designs, and media clippings. Casa da Arquitectura has been diligently mapping, organizing, and digitizing the collection to ensure universal and free access to over 10,000 scanned documents, with more than 1,000 already available for online consultation.

Spanning seven decades, Mendes da Rocha’s contributions to Brazilian modernism are explored, going beyond the simplistic label of brutalism. The exhibition highlights his major works and their connections to a network of collaborators, reflecting his engagement with social and environmental concerns. The exhibition combines archival materials, including sketches and construction drawings, with photographs and videos, offering a comprehensive view of Mendes da Rocha’s design process. The installation, curated by Eduardo Souto de Moura and Nuno Graça Moura, creates an immersive experience, unveiling the diverse geographies and scale of Mendes da Rocha’s projects. Notable works such as the Paulistano Gymnasium and Sesc 24 de Maio are featured alongside narratives that explore the architect’s life and his contributions to Brazil’s cultural development.

Casa Gerassi, Sao Paulo | image @ Leonardo Finotti/Casa da Arquitectura Archive

an inner dialogue with the renowned architect

The exhibition is completed by a collection of original models from architect Paulo Mendes da Rocha, supplemented by eight new models created specifically for the show. Additionally, interpretive models produced by students from The Berlage Center for Advanced Studies in Architecture and Urban Design are featured. Alongside the models, the exhibition presents ten original videos by Filipe De Ferrari and Ciro Miguel, as well as a film commissioned for the Brazilian pavilion at the 17th Venice Architecture Biennale. The film was curated by Alexandre Brasil, André Luiz Prado, Bruno Santa Cecília, Carlos Alberto Maciel, Paula Zasnicoff, and Henrique Penha.

Instead of writing about his work, the exhibition features selected excerpts from his conversations and lectures throughout the years. These audio clips can be freely listened to in various areas of the exhibition, offering an immersive experience. The exhibition at Casa Gallery includes a video with ten interviews and lectures by Paulo Mendes da Rocha, presented on five screens asynchronously. Additionally, a selection of 160 images will be displayed on tablets, enhancing the overall experience. The curators, Marta Moreira and Rui Furtado, hope that this unique encounter will foster a better understanding of Mendes da Rocha’s works, designs, and vision of the world.

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Pinacoteca do Estado, Sao Paulo | image @ Leonardo Finotti/Casa da Arquitectura Archive

To complement the exhibition, a comprehensive catalogue will be published in Portuguese and English versions, spanning 456 pages. This highly illustrated catalogue features critical essays contributed by scholars from Brazil, Europe, and North America, offering a fresh perspective on the work of Paulo Mendes da Rocha. It includes a substantial interview conducted by curators Jean-Louis Cohen and Vanessa Grossman with architect Eduardo Souto de Moura. The catalogue goes beyond the exhibition’s projects by providing twelve interpretative texts that delve into each of the twelve featured projects. In addition, it presents three general essays and ten thematic essays that explore various aspects of Mendes da Rocha’s architectural philosophy. This publication serves as a lasting representation not only of the exhibition but also of the Paulo Mendes da Rocha collection donated to Casa da Arquitectura.

Pinacoteca do Estado, Sao Paulo | image @ Leonardo Finotti/Casa da Arquitectura Archive