Casa Modernista

Casa Modernista: A History of the Brazil Modern House
Casa Modernista: extraordinary Brazilian Modern Architecture by Brazil's foremost modern architects including Oscar Niemeyer, Affonso Eduardo Reidy, Jorge Machado Moreira, Carlos Leao, Alvaro Vital Brazil, Paulo Mendes da Rocha, Joao Walter Toscano, and Abrahao Sanovicz. Casa Modernista is a must-have reference for anyone interested in international modern architecture.

A lot of interesting books on modern architecture will be released this fall. Rizzoli informed us that they will release a fabulous book on Brazilian modern architecture on October 12th 2010. Casa Modernista: A History of the Brazil Modern House with text by Alan Hess and photographs by Alan Weintraub. We really look forward to this book since Alan Hess and Alan Weintraub are authorities on the work by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer. Previous publications by these authors include: Julius Shulman: Palm Springs and Oscar Niemeyer Buildings.



An architectural rediscovery of one of the most powerful schools of Modernism; Brazil's Mid Century Modern Architecture. On the one hand sensual and warm, on the other rational yet rhythmic, Brazilian Modernism is the soulful alternative to its European parent, better known for theoretical rigor and cold precision. Using the modern materials of concrete and reinforced glass, as well as wood and steel, Brazilians modern architects brought to Modernism an unspoken philosophy that allowed for the free flow of nature and built forms, so that the one was not dominated by the other but rather embraced by it. The undulating and amorphous free-flowing organic modern buildings of Oscar Niemeyer are perhaps the best known expressions of this philosophy, in which the typical straight line of Europe’s Modern home becomes a graceful arabesque. The story of the Brazil Modern house is a tradition, a great flowering of talents and vision and a revealing new experience of Modernism, that until now has not been properly documented. Casa Modernista is the first volume to comprehensively cover this extraordinary modern architecture from Brazil. Within its pages is featured not only the work of Brazil's foremost modern architect Oscar Niemeyer, but also that of all the most important modern architects of this extremely rich, multifaceted nation, including Affonso Eduardo Reidy, Jorge Machado Moreira, Carlos Leao, Alvaro Vital Brazil, Paulo Mendes da Rocha, Joao Walter Toscano, and Abrahao Sanovicz.

In the first volume to comprehensively cover the extraordinary architecture of the Brazil Modern house, Alan Weintraub and Alan Hess—photographer and author duo of OSCAR NIEMEYER BUILDINGS (Rizzoli,2009) take a detailed look at the best examples of this style of dwellings in CASA MODERNISTA (Rizzoli, October 2010). Beginning in 1927 and going through 2010, this book surveys this innovative school of Modernism, showcasing the visionary talents and unique designs of architects such as Affonso Eduardo Reidy, Paulo Mendes da Rocha, Joao Walter Toscano, and Abrahao Sanovicz. It brings the story up to today with many of Brazil's current architects, including Marcio Kogan and Isay Weinfeld.

Alan Hess' insightful and informative text, accompanied by Weintraub's detailed photographs, offer readers a chance to fully explore the evolution of this exuberant style of architecture by featuring sixty-five unique homes that best exemplify the modern house in Brazil. By taking advantage of Brazil’s naturally inviting climate, combined with the pragmatic sourcing of materials (concrete, reinforced glass, wood, and steel), these homes cleverly meld exterior and interior spaces that extend the living space into the outdoors. And, unlike the more rigid and severe European Modernism architecture, the Brazil Modern house may be seen as an expression of the Brazilian people—warm, sensual and playful.

Casa Modernista: A History of the Brazil Modern House

architects, architecture, architecture in brazil, architecture in south america, brazil, brazil architect, brazil architecture, brazilian architecture, mid century architecture, oscar niemeyer

© CASA MODERNISTA: A History of the Brazil Modern House by Alan Hess, Rizzoli New York, 2010. Images from CASA MODERNISTA: A History of the Brazil Modern House © Alan Weintraub/Arcaid may not be reproduced in any way, published, or transmitted digitally, without written permission from the publisher.

Casa Modernista: A History of the Brazil Modern House
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