Elevated Brutalism | Court of Auditors Office by Croce Aflalo and Gasperini
- Arq. Henry Loarte
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Author: Henry Loarte
I have come to see architecture not only as an art, but as a powerful form of communication that transcends space and time.
WORK: Court of Auditors
ARCHITECTS: Croce Aflalo y Gasperini Office
PHOTOGRAPHY: Aflalo & Gasperini architects
LOCATION: São Paulo, Brazil.
YEAR: 1970
AREA: 8,900 m2
The São Paulo Municipal Court of Auditors (TCMSP) building, designed by the renowned Croce, Aflalo & Gasperini studio, formed by architects Gian Carlo Gasperini, Plínio Croce, and Roberto Aflalo, was designed in 1970 with a clear institutional purpose. This work has established itself as one of the most emblematic examples of Brazilian brutalist architecture and a key reference point for brutalism in Latin America, standing out for its formal monumentality and bold elevated structure. The brutalist style, characterized by its structural honesty and absence of ornamentation, is manifested in this work through bold and solid geometric forms, with the predominant use of exposed reinforced concrete, an aesthetic that conveys firmness, rationality, and permanence.
Construction of the building began in 1971 and was completed in 1976, covering a built area of 8,900 square meters distributed over three levels. This building was developed in the context of the Brazilian military regime, which adds a symbolic component to its architecture: it stands as a manifestation of formal and artistic freedom in an era marked by political repression. In this sense, the architecture of the TCMSP transcends its administrative function, also projecting a discourse of aesthetic resistance and professional autonomy.
The architectural concept adopted emphasizes the symbolic function of the Court as a body that oversees public power. To this end, it was decided to isolate the building from the ground by raising it ten meters above ground level. This solution creates an open and accessible space on the ground floor that establishes a visual and physical dialogue with the immediate surroundings, especially with Ibirapuera Park, generating urban continuity that encourages citizen interaction and democratizes land use.
The 70-meter-long building rests on four large structural cores that house the vertical circulation. These cores allow for impressive 17-meter cantilevers at each end of the main volume. Such a structural solution was made possible by the use of reinforced concrete beams up to six meters high, a feature that reinforces the monumentality of the work. The decision to elevate the main volume using minimal supports not only creates an image of lightness and balance, but also maximizes the functionality of the land and preserves the perception of the landscape.
The austere and expressive structure reflects the principles of São Paulo brutalism, a movement led by João Batista Vilanova Artigas that championed structure as the generator of architectural space. This school promoted the use of exposed reinforced concrete, respect for construction techniques, and the creation of collective and democratic spaces. Within this framework, the TCMSP aligns itself with other paradigmatic works of the movement, such as Lina Bo Bardi's São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP) and the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism of the University of São Paulo (FAU-USP), thus joining a constellation of architectural landmarks that defined the urban and cultural identity of São Paulo during the second half of the 20th century.
The building's volume, its elevated structure, and the open esplanade on the ground floor create a direct relationship between the architecture and the public space. This architectural gesture not only responds to a functional need, but also operates as a statement of principles regarding transparency and access to state institutions. The symbolic transparency evoked by the architectural design of the TCMSP is particularly significant in the historical context of its construction, where the opacity of the military regime contrasted with the democratic ideal represented by the architectural form.
Since its inauguration, the building has been the subject of numerous academic studies and debates analyzing its architectural value, its innovative structural solution, and its integration into the urban landscape of São Paulo. Its excellent state of preservation to date and its low degree of decharacterization make it an outstanding example of long-term architectural sustainability, both in terms of construction and heritage.
Beyond its formal relevance, this work has been fundamental in consolidating the Brutalist language in Brazil and has become an essential reference point for new generations of architects interested in exploring the relationships between structure, public space, and civic function. Far from being merely a technical or aesthetic achievement, the São Paulo Municipal Court of Auditors expresses, through its architecture, a powerful synthesis of social, political, and cultural values deeply rooted in its historical context.
The São Paulo Municipal Court of Auditors building is one of the most eloquent and representative manifestations of Latin American brutalism. Its architecture exemplifies the values of institutional transparency, structural innovation, and urban commitment, all framed within a political context of repression that paradoxically highlights the expressive freedom achieved by its creators. The work transcends the architectural object to become a symbol of the potential of architecture as a tool for social and political dialogue. Formal rationality, structural monumentality, and respect for the urban environment make this building not only a landmark of São Paulo brutalism, but also a continental reference point in the reflection on public space, civic function, and design ethics.
We invite readers and professionals in the fields of architecture, urban planning, and social sciences to delve deeper into the study of this work, recognizing it as an integral part of Brazilian and Latin American modern heritage. We also suggest its incorporation into educational itineraries, exhibitions, and publications that promote the appreciation of the Brutalist legacy, both from a technical perspective and from its cultural and symbolic dimension.
We also encourage you to explore this special edition dedicated to Latin American brutalist architecture, which brings together research, essays, and case studies that allow us to understand the richness and diversity of this movement in the region. This article is part of that journey, and we hope it will motivate readers to rediscover brutalism not only as a formal language, but as an architecture of convictions and resistance.
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