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, Zaha Hadid, Miguel Milá, Le Corbusier… You’ve probably noticed that at Behind Pictures, we like to dedicate space to all those personalities in architecture and design who changed the rules and took the profession to the next level. Today, it’s the turn of the incomparable Lina Bo Bardi. This time we travel across the Atlantic, specifically to Latin America, where Bo Bardi’s magnificent constructions still reflect, today, the ideals followed by one of the most influential architects in the region. It would be impossible to understand the evolution of Latin American architecture without the work of Lina Bo Bardi. Keep reading to discover everything about her work and legacy.
Who Is Lina Bo Bardi?
Lina Bo Bardi was an Italian-Brazilian architect born in Rome in 1914. She completed her architecture studies at the University of Rome while fascism dominated Europe. Due to difficulty finding work in Rome and restrictions on her freedoms, she moved to Milan, where she opened a studio with architect Carlo Pagani. In 1943, during World War II, a bomb hit the studio, and many sketches and projects were lost forever. In 1946, she permanently left Europe with her husband Pietro Maria Bardi to settle in Brazil. It was there that she executed her most emblematic and significant works for the history and development of Latin American architecture.
The Influence of Lina Bo Bardi’s Style on Contemporary Architecture
From the moment Lina Bo Bardi settled in São Paulo, she established herself as a key figure in the modern architecture scene. Her style was based on humanizing architecture, achieved through respect and understanding of popular art and culture from an anthropological perspective. Her works are notable for their ability to blend modern aesthetics with Brazilian popular tradition.
The Works That Define Lina Bo Bardi
Her architectural style is influenced by Brazilian architects Oscar Niemeyer and Lúcio Costa. However, her works are characterized by a humanist, ecological, and cultured approach that evolves alongside technology. Here are our three favorite works of Lina Bo Bardi.
The Glass House
This was Lina Bo Bardi’s first project on Brazilian soil and also the most personal, as she designed it to be her own home. It is located on a small, wooded hill in Morumbi, southwest of São Paulo. With it, Bo Bardi sought to combine the best of the culture she grew up with alongside the emerging modernity of her new home. Mies van der Rohe’s ideals are evident in the design, which seeks to marry simple, functional interiors with the beauty of its predominant natural surroundings.
The São Paulo Museum of Art
The São Paulo Museum of Art is considered Lina Bo Bardi’s most emblematic project; it was the project that put her in the spotlight and gave her global relevance for the first time. It is a building representative of Brazilian culture and exemplifies the transformation Lina Bo Bardi would bring to Latin American architecture. The idea originated from her husband, Pietro Maria Bardi, who wanted to start an art collection and needed a space to exhibit it. Lina Bo Bardi saw the opportunity to promote the culture and art she admired in a unique design, marking a before and after not only in her career but in the architectural style of the region. The floor is raised 8 meters above the ground, suspended by massive red blocks. The galleries create continuous routes that provide unique experiences in every exhibition. Additionally, the plaza below offers shade to pedestrians without obstructing movement.
Solar do Unhão
This is the main cultural center of Salvador de Bahia. The project came to Lina Bo Bardi through an invitation from the governor of Bahia to renovate the Solar do Unhão, the region’s most imposing historic center. Lina Bo Bardi sought to preserve the inherent beauty of the old sugar mill, restoring the existing buildings so that old and new merged perfectly. It is worth noting that Lina Bo Bardi chose to maintain the colonial exterior of the main buildings but did not return them to their original state, keeping the elements added over the years. She also incorporated a wooden spiral staircase. Her contemporary design, far from breaking the traditional charm, harmonizes perfectly and represents the union of tradition and modernity.
Behind Pictures, Your Rendering Studio in Barcelona
What do you think of Lina Bo Bardi’s legacy in Latin American architecture? We love it and find her humanist style very inspiring, as she always aimed to integrate her buildings harmoniously into their surroundings. If you have a project in mind and like Bo Bardi’s vision, don’t hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to prepare a 100% personalized proposal so you can achieve all your objectives.
