Paulo Mendes da Rocha's housing archetype

Abstract

Paulo Mendes da Rocha renowned Brazilian architect and winner of the Pritzker Prize in 2006. Throughout his career, he made numerous works of different scales and programs; including single-family homes, residential complexes, and social housing projects. Within his work, especially that of a residential nature, the frequency of certain design decisions is evident: functional, constructive, and expressive. This recidivism of characteristics could be described as an archetype of residential spaces. Through a comparative process of 2 houses of different temporalities, it is intended to deduce which is the archetype of Mendes da Rocha's house. A free and elevated floor above the level of the sidewalk, continuous rooms that share service cores, and walls that do not completely close the spaces; are some of the characteristics that define the archetype of housing. Deciphering this archetype allows us to better understand the influence of Mendes da Rocha's homes on modern Brazilian architecture.