Studio
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.


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.

“"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."”
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).

Team

Marcelo Vessoni
Design Director

Eduardo Apolinário
CFO

Christian Rojas
Design Manager

Fernanda Maeda
Design Manager

Francisco Rugeroni
Design Manager

Jinny Yim
Design Manager

Marcela Guerreiro
Design Manager

Marcela Siniauskas
Design Manager

Marina Budib
Design Manager
Awards
- 2018
- Lecture at société française des architectes in paris - "a vision of paradise"
- 2015
- Participation in argentine biennial exhibition
- 2015
- Exhibition on casa cidade mundo – hélio oiticica art center – rio de janeiro, brazil
- 2014
- Award winner of architizer awards 2014 - museum category , popular vote (museu de arte do rio de janeiro)
- 2013
- Nine’s new ( neun neue ) - emerging architects from brazil. frankfurt, germany
- 2013
- 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
- 2011
- Award globe talents
- 2010
- Bernardes & jacobsen is awarded at the são paulo international biennial of architecture
- 2009
- Bernardes & jacobsen are awarded by brazil 's institute of architects (iab ) with 2 residential projects
- 2009
- Museu de arte do rio de janeiro’s project (mar)
- 2008
- Second place in the competition of image and sound museum (mis) of rio de janeiro
- 2006
- Bernardes & jacobsen takes part of the "encore moderne" exhibition, paris, france
- 2002
- Architecture digest (ad) : claudio bernardes & jacobsen are elected one of the 100 world most important architectures