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Biography
Paulo Mendes da Rocha (born October 25, 1928 in Vitória, Espírito Santo) is a Brazilian architect.
Mendes da Rocha attended the Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie College of Architecture, graduating in 1954. Working almost exclusively in Brazil, Mendes da Rocha has been producing buildings since 1957, many of them built in concrete, a method some call "Brazilian Brutalism", arguably allowing buildings to be constructed cheaply and quickly. He has contributed many notable cultural buildings to São Paulo and is widely credited as enhancing and revitalizing the city.
Mendes da Rocha was Professor at the Architecture College of University of São Paulo, known as FAU-USP, until 1998. His work is 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)
Major works
| Year | Building or product | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Gymnasium in the Paulistano Athletics Club | São Paulo, Brazil |
| 1957 | Paulistano Armchair (reissued in 2004 by Objekto) | |
| 1964 | The Guaimbê Residential Building | São Paulo, Brazil |
| 1969 | Brazil's pavilion at Expo '70 | Osaka, Japan |
| 1973 | Serra Dourada Stadium | Goiânia, Brazil |
| 1987 | Saint Peter Chapel | São Paulo, Brazil |
| 1987 | Forma Furniture showroom | São Paulo, Brazil |
| 1988 | Brazilian Sculpture Museum | São Paulo, Brazil |
| 1992 | Patriarch Plaza and Viaduct do Chá | São Paulo, Brazil |
| 1993 | Pinacoteca do Estado | São Paulo, Brazil |
| 1997 | FIESP Cultural Center | São Paulo, Brazil |
| 2002 | Patriarch Plaza | São Paulo, Brazil |
| 2015 | National Coaches Museum | Lisbon, Portugal |
| 2017 | Quelhas House | Lisbon, Portugal |
| 2017 | SESC 24 de Maio | São Paulo, Brazil |
