Paulo Mendes da Rocha (October 25, 1928 – May 23, 2021) was a Brazilian architect.
Mendes da Rocha attended the Mackenzie Presbyterian University College of Architecture, graduating in 1954. Working almost exclusively in Brazil, Mendes da Rocha began designing buildings in 1957, many of them built in concrete, a method some call "Brazilian Brutalism", arguably allowing buildings to be constructed cheaply and quickly. He contributed many notable cultural buildings to São Paulo and is widely credited with having enhanced and revitalized the city.
Mendes da Rocha was a professor at the Architecture College of University of São Paulo, known as FAU-USP, until 1998. His work was influenced by Brazilian architect Vilanova Artigas, from the paulist Brazilian School. He was honored with the Mies van der Rohe Prize (2000), the Pritzker Prize (2006), and the Venice Biennale Golden Lion for lifetime achievement (2016)., received Praemium Imperiale(2016)
Mendes da Rocha died on May 23, 2021, in São Paulo at the age of 92.
Major works +Year Building or product Location1957Gymnasium in the Paulistano Athletics Club São Paulo, Brazil1957 Paulistano Armchair (reissued in 2004 by Objekto)1964The Guaimbê Residential Building São Paulo, Brazil1969Brazil's pavilion at Expo '70 Osaka, Japan1973Serra Dourada Stadium Goiânia, Brazil1987Saint Peter Chapel São Paulo, Brazil1987Forma Furniture showroom São Paulo, Brazil1988Brazilian Sculpture Museum São Paulo, Brazil1992Patriarch Plaza and Viaduct do Chá São Paulo, Brazil1993Pinacoteca do Estado São Paulo, Brazil1997FIESP Cultural Center São Paulo, Brazil2002Patriarch Plaza São Paulo, Brazil2015National Coaches Museum Lisbon, Portugal2017 Quelhas House Lisbon, Portugal2017SESC 24 de Maio São Paulo, Brazil
Gallery
References
Sources Artigas, Rosa: "Paulo Mendes da Rocha", Cosac & Naify Spiro, Annette: "Paulo Mendes da Rocha. Works and Projects". VAZ MILHEIRO, Ana; TAVARES, Gonçalo M.; SIMÕES, João Carmo. Paulo Mendes da Rocha: Museu Nacional dos Coches . Monade, Lisboa, 2015. "Designed Future or Selected Writings by Paulo Mendes da Rocha", monade, Lisboa, 2019 (English version)
External links
Pritzker Prize – profile CityMayors.com profile New York Times profile NPR profile Objekto