São Paulo, Brazil – For the first time, the public will have access to Casa Bola, a strikingly unconventional residence designed by Brazilian architect Eduardo Longo. From March 7th to May 31st, 2026, the spherical structure will host a portion of the ABERTO5 exhibition, a platform dedicated to showcasing the intersection of architecture, art, and design. The exhibition will also feature projects along Avenida Faria Lima, a prominent thoroughfare in São Paulo known for its landmark buildings designed by architects such as Ruy Ohtake and Isay Weinfeld.
Built entirely by hand between 1974 and 1979, Casa Bola represents a radical departure from conventional housing paradigms. The eight-meter-diameter structure, suspended above Longo’s existing residence in the Itaim Bibi district, embodies a utopian vision of spherical housing and stands as a testament to experimental architecture in 20th-century Brazil. According to architect and curator Fernando Serapião, the house “represents one of the most radical works of Brazilian architecture, challenging conventional domestic space and reflecting Eduardo Longo’s experimental vision for housing.”
ABERTO, founded in 2022, aims to reactivate architecturally significant spaces, often private residences, by transforming them into platforms for artistic expression. The organization, which previously held an exhibition at Maison La Roche in Paris, selects venues that encourage dialogue between art, design, and the built environment. ABERTO5 will showcase over 60 art and design pieces by 50 Brazilian and international artists, many of which were specifically created in response to the unique spatial qualities of Casa Bola.
A Unique Construction and Design Philosophy
Casa Bola’s construction is notable for its use of ferrocement, a material composed of cement mortar and reinforcing layers of wire mesh. Longo molded this material over a complex framework of recycled steel tubes, creating a continuous structure that seamlessly integrates walls, built-in furniture, lighting, and even sanitary fixtures. This approach, contrasting with the transparency and structural rationalism prevalent in much of Brazilian modernist architecture at the time, reflects Longo’s exploration of the sphere as a fundamental building form. The house, still inhabited by Longo, has remained largely unknown within São Paulo’s urban landscape.
ABERTO5: A Dialogue Between Art and Architecture
The curatorial team for ABERTO5, comprised of Filipe Assis, Claudia Moreira Salles, and Kiki Mazzucchelli, has designed an exhibition that spans the 1,000 square meters of Casa Bola, including its three floors, terrace, and the spherical volume itself. The exhibition features works by artists including Daniel Steegmann Mangrané, Sarah Lucas, Erika Verzutti, and Tomás Saraceno, responding to the house’s distinctive character as a “habitable sculpture.” Alongside these contemporary commissions, the exhibition will also present archival materials documenting Eduardo Longo’s decades-long practice, curated by Fernando Serapião.
Visitors entering Casa Bola will be greeted by an aluminum curtain with a cut-out coated-steel frame created by Daniel Steegmann Mangrané. Multimedia paintings by Laís Amaral, Paloma Bosquê, and Tatiana Chalhoub will engage with the building’s curves, even as sculptures by Iole de Freitas will complement its form. Suspended installations by Laura Lima and Leonor Antunes will explore themes of space and ecology.
Continuing a Legacy of Brazilian Modernism
ABERTO’s commitment to showcasing Brazilian modern architecture is evident in its previous editions. The inaugural exhibition in 2022 was held in a private residence designed by Oscar Niemeyer, supported by the Fundação Oscar Niemeyer. Subsequent editions have featured homes designed by Vilanova Artigas (2023), Tomie Ohtake and Chu Ming Silveira (2024), and, in 2025, Le Corbusier’s Maison La Roche in Paris, presenting 40 works by Brazilian artists and examining the architect’s influence on Brazilian modernism.
The opening of Casa Bola to the public marks a significant moment in the recognition of Eduardo Longo’s perform and the preservation of Brazil’s architectural heritage. As ABERTO continues to explore the intersection of art, architecture, and design, the exhibition at Casa Bola promises to offer a unique and immersive experience for visitors, highlighting the enduring power of experimental architecture.
Looking ahead, ABERTO’s continued exploration of significant architectural works promises to further enrich the cultural landscape of Brazil and beyond. The organization’s commitment to fostering dialogue between artists, architects, and the public will undoubtedly shape future conversations about the built environment.
What are your thoughts on the intersection of art and architecture? Share your comments below.