We are a Brazilian architecture and interior design studio, born in Rio de Janeiro, that seek the development of projects which propose intense integration between the built environment and its natural context.

The potential relationships established between architectural design and the exuberant nature of Rio’s landscapes have contributed to the development of the concept of tropical architecture, which reflects the creation of a contemporary aesthetic language based on intense dialogue with architecture of colonial and indigenous roots, also influenced by modernism.

Always committed to the intentions and desires of our customers, our projects explore the proximity to the territory, the interpretation of the context and the use of natural materials.

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Paulo Jacobsen’s forty-five-year legacy, combined with Bernardo’s international professional experience in Europe and Japan, contributed to the expansion of Jacobsen Arquitetura’s activities around the world. Located at the cities of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Lisbon, the office develops architecture and interior design on a global context. The diverse set of projects – carried out in the Americas, Europe, Asia and Oceania – increases the challenge of designing such a diversity of architectural programs, including residences, hotels, buildings and museums.

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“"Architecture must be closely related to the client’s personality and way of life, in complete harmony with the surroundings in a timeless manner. The idea is that architecture disappears in the landscape."”

Paulo Jacobsen

The authorship is conceived entirely by our partners and is a fundamental principle that guides our projects. The notion of tropical architecture, the search for adapting the building to the environmental conditions, the integration between outdoor and indoor spaces, as well as the experimentation of cutting edge technologies, can be considered the main elements that oversee our design reasoning. Through the architectural object, we spatially elaborate concepts such as fluidity, transparency, luminosity and structural lightness, in view of the search for the true concept of sustainability.

In 2013, we expanded our reflection about the design of public spaces, considering especially the project of the Rio de Janeiro Museum of Art (MAR-RJ). After its conclusion, MAR-RJ was chosen as one of the 100 most important architectural designs of the year by the publication “Architecture Now”. The museum was awarded by the Architizer A + Awards, Public Choice, in the “museum” category (2014). MAR-RJ has also received the Green Building Council seal (LEED) in the silver category (2014) and was selected for the Buenos Aires Architecture Biennial (2017).

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Team

Paulo Jacobsen

Paulo Jacobsen

Partner

Paulo Jacobsen was born in 1954, in Rio de Janeiro. He studied photography in London, before graduating in Architecture and Urbanism. He started his professional life alongside Claudio Bernardes, designing high-end residences in the Costa da Esmeralda Islands, on the coast of Rio de Janeiro. Today, he shares the signature of his architectural designs with his son Bernardo Jacobsen. He was elected one of the 100 most important architects of the world by the magazine Architectural Digest (2001) and he was also appointed as one of the most influential designers of the world by Wallpaper Magazine (2011). Paulo Jacobsen was chosen the “Carioca of the Year” by Veja Magazine (2013).

Bernardo Jacobsen

Bernardo Jacobsen

Partner

Bernardo Jacobsen, born in Rio de Janeiro, has brought ample international experience to the office. After graduating in Architecture and Urbanism, he worked at the offices of Christian de Portzamparc, in Paris, and Shigeru Ban, in Japan, where he contributed to the design of important buildings as the City of Arts in Rio de Janeiro and the Center Pompidou in Metz. In 2013, Bernardo was invited to participate in the exhibition “New Nine-Emerging Architecture from Brazil”, held at the German Museum of Architecture, in Frankfurt. In 2018, Paulo and Bernardo were invited as lecturers at the Société Française des Architectes (SFA).

Edgar Murata

Edgar Murata

Partner

Edgar Yuzo Murata was born in 1980, in São Paulo. He graduated in Architecture and Urbanism at the Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie. Since 2004, he has worked closely with architectural and interior design, alongside Paulo Jacobsen. He has joined Jacobsen Arquitetura in 2012, where he has ever since divided the architectural creation with Paulo and Bernardo, being also responsible for leading and transmitting the architectural identity to the team of architects. Edgar Murata´s contributions bring renewing influence of Japanese culture to the office´s architectural production.

Marcelo Vessoni

Marcelo Vessoni

Design Director

Eduardo Apolinário

Eduardo Apolinário

CFO

Christian Rojas

Christian Rojas

Design Manager

Fernanda Maeda

Fernanda Maeda

Design Manager

Francisco Rugeroni

Francisco Rugeroni

Design Manager

Jinny Yim

Jinny Yim

Design Manager

Marcela Guerreiro

Marcela Guerreiro

Design Manager

Marcela Siniauskas

Marcela Siniauskas

Design Manager

Marina Budib

Marina Budib

Design Manager

Awards

2023
Architecture Digest (AD) Mexico and Latin America: Jacobsen Arquitetura is elected as one of the 100 most relevant and creative architecture firms in Latin America
2023
Architizer: Jacobsen Arquitetura is elected as one of the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Brazil
2022
prix versailles 2022 - special prize for an exterior - central america, the south and the caribbean (casc) - shopping malls category
2018
Lecture at société française des architectes in paris - "a vision of paradise"
2015
Participation in argentine biennial exhibition
2014
Award winner of architizer awards 2014 - museum category , popular vote (museu de arte do rio de janeiro)
Exhibition on casa cidade mundo – hélio oiticica art center – rio de janeiro, brazil
2013
Nine’s new ( neun neue ) - emerging architects from brazil. frankfurt, germany
Veja rio prize : paulo jacobsen is elected the carioca of the year – architecture category.
2011
Wallpaper: "bernardes & jacobsen " is elected one of the 100 most influential people in the world
2010
Bernardes & jacobsen is awarded at the são paulo international biennial of architecture
Award globe talents
2009
Bernardes & jacobsen are awarded by brazil 's institute of architects (iab ) with 2 residential projects
Museu de arte do rio de janeiro’s project (mar)