Gianfranco Vannucchi and Daniel Toledo at the AsBEA-SC 20th Anniversary Journey

On July 2, during the AsBEA-SC 20th Anniversary Journey in Florianópolis, our founding partner Gianfranco Vannucchi gave a lecture on the trajectory of Königsberger Vannucchi and its design production over the course of 54 years. The presentation addressed the relationship between the firm’s projects and the different economic, political, and cultural contexts experienced by the country, as well as the challenges faced in keeping the office active for more than five decades.

Gianfranco revisited defining moments, such as the period when the firm designed bank branches in various regions of Brazil, at a time when architecture played a central role in institutional identity. Another highlight was the decision not to adopt the neoclassical language, then associated with luxury in the São Paulo real estate market: “We never designed neoclassical buildings because we never thought they made sense for the city,” he stated. The lecture also covered the Brascan Century Plaza, designed in 1997 in Itaim Bibi, São Paulo, a mixed-use development with an open block, where the office is currently headquartered.

At the end, partner and Executive Director Daniel Toledo joined the stage for a conversation with the audience. The evening continued with a book signing session for Königsberger Vannucchi [et al.] Arquitetura. Among dedications and reunions, the audience extended the exchanges that began during the lecture. The event took place at the Morada Ecco space. We thank AsBEA-SC for the invitation, represented by its president Maria Aparecida Cury Figueiredo, as well as the presence of colleagues and the general public with whom we were able to share our history.

Photos: Fernando Willadino/AsBEA-SC