The British Embassy in Brazil cuts a distinctly postmodernist determine inside its world-renowned modernist structure context. The constructing is about within the nation’s capital of Brasilia, the town famously created from scratch by a workforce of creatives, together with architect Oscar Niemeyer and concrete planner Lucio Costa, and inaugurated in 1960. Inside this valuable historic setting, the embassy construction has now been given a Twenty first-century breath of life by a latest renovation by studio Hersen Mendes Arquitetura.
(Picture credit score: Joana França, Courtesy of British Embassy in Brazil)
Take a tour of the British embassy in Brazil
The venture’s story started in 2023, when the observe was invited to refresh the house as a way to obtain the brand new British ambassador Stephanie Al-Qaq – the primary girl to carry the place within the nation. It coincided with the celebrations of the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camila in that very same 12 months.
(Picture credit score: Joana França, Courtesy of British Embassy in Brazil)
The architects labored arduous at updating all of the rooms, making a crisp but heat ambiance to serve the ambassador’s wants and the constructing’s wider features. The unique structure’s spirit was retained, because the workforce consulted unique planning paperwork as a way to guarantee they honoured the present design, which is outlined by asymmetries and a mixture of proper and 45-degree angles.
(Picture credit score: Joana França, Courtesy of British Embassy in Brazil)
‘After we determined to rethink the official residence, we had in thoughts an area that may signify this fusion of worlds. We needed one thing daring, trendy, however rooted in Brazilian aesthetics – particularly these of Brasília – paying homage to native and nationwide artists,’ says ambassador Stephanie Al-Qaq.
(Picture credit score: Joana França, Courtesy of British Embassy in Brazil)
Balancing the calls for of each day life in a non-public household house with official conferences and formal occasions, the interiors have been composed as a mixture of design-led and classic furnishings, and a wealth of artwork, which adorns partitions and dots the inside.
(Picture credit score: Joana França, Courtesy of British Embassy in Brazil)
Featured artwork items embrace a panel of hand-painted tiles by Alexandre Mancini, who was a disciple of Athos Bulcão. Its geometric shapes have been impressed by the Brazilian flag, however the colors nod to that of the UK. In the meantime, in the lounge, a inexperienced marble panel hints at British naval custom, and within the banquet corridor, a mural by Sandra Crivelaro brings Brazilian flora to the highlight.
(Picture credit score: Joana França, Courtesy of British Embassy in Brazil)
The furnishings chosen to populate the totally different areas performs the same function – making certain consolation whereas elegantly mixing Brazilian and British references. There are Windsor chairs by Jader Almeida, and Lina armchairs, impressed by architect Lina Bo Bardi. Works by designers Domingos Tótora, Jacqueline Terpins, and Zanini de Zanine, additionally characteristic all through, highlighting modern Brazilian design.
(Picture credit score: Joana França, Courtesy of British Embassy in Brazil)
A hand-crafted Kamaiurá hammock is positioned within the terrace of the room reserved for the usage of King Charles throughout a attainable future go to. Made from buriti and cotton fibres, it nods to Brazil’s wealth of native crafts.
(Picture credit score: Joana França, Courtesy of British Embassy in Brazil)
‘I imagine that the end result displays this proposal very effectively: a mix of contemporary British type and the daring lightness of Brazilian structure. It’s a house that dialogues with Brazilian and British modernity, celebrating innovation and variety,’ provides the ambassador.
(Picture credit score: Joana França, Courtesy of British Embassy in Brazil)
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