Gregori Warchavchick

Brazilian architect

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July 15, 2026

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Gregori Warchavchick was a Russian émigré architect who was instrumental in introducing Modernism to Brazil. His house on Rua Santa Cruz, built between 1927 and 1928, is a notable early example of this style, characterized by its simple white cubic forms softened by abundant tropical plants. Warchavchick advocated for functional architecture, famously stating, "Down with absurd decoration and up with logical construction!". His work, along with that of other architects like Lúcio Costa and Oscar Niemeyer, helped transform European Modernism into a distinct Brazilian architectural identity, leveraging reinforced concrete and the tropical climate to create seamless indoor-outdoor spaces.1

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Latin American architecture
Brazil
…Paulo by the Russian émigré Gregori Warchavchik. His house on Rua Santa Cruz (1927–28) is a stark composition of plain white cubic forms whose lines are softened by the extensive use of tropical plants. Warchavchik wrote in his Manifesto of Functional Architecture (1925), “Down with absurd decoration and up with…
Read More
…Paulo by the Russian émigré Gregori Warchavchik. His house on Rua Santa Cruz (1927–28) is a stark composition of plain white cubic forms whose lines are softened by the extensive use of tropical plants. Warchavchik wrote in his Manifesto of Functional Architecture (1925), “Down with absurd decoration and up with…
Read More

Lúcio Costa
…entered into a partnership with Gregori Warchavchick, a Russian-born architect and early advocate of modern architecture in Brazil. In 1931 Costa was appointed director of the National School of Fine Arts, which included the School of Architecture. His efforts to reform the National School’s outdated curriculum inspired a generation of…
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…entered into a partnership with Gregori Warchavchick, a Russian-born architect and early advocate of modern architecture in Brazil. In 1931 Costa was appointed director of the National School of Fine Arts, which included the School of Architecture. His efforts to reform the National School’s outdated curriculum inspired a generation of…
Read More