Eduardo Longo’s Casa Bola Opens to the Public for Aberto5 Exhibition
São Paulo, Brazil – Eduardo Longo’s iconic Casa Bola, a radical example of 1970s Brazilian architecture, is now open to the public for the first time as part of the Aberto5 exhibition. The exhibition, which began on March 7th, 2026, and runs through May 31st, 2026, showcases contemporary art and design within the unique spherical structure and the surrounding subterranean spaces that serve as Longo’s home and office. [Dezeen]
A Utopian Vision Realized
Casa Bola, completed in 1979, represents Longo’s utopian architectural vision for an urban community. He envisioned residents living in spherical pods suspended above the street. [ArchDaily] The eight-meter-diameter structure, built using ferrocement, stands out on São Paulo’s Faria Lima avenue. A bright yellow slide offers an alternative to the winding staircase within the sphere. [Dezeen]
Aberto5: Art and Design in Dialogue with Architecture
Aberto5 features installations, sculpture, and painting by 50 Brazilian and international creatives. [ArchDaily] The exhibition includes a striking aluminum curtain by Spanish artist Daniel Steegmann Mangrané, specifically created for Casa Bola. [Dezeen] Brazilian artist Sandra Cinto also contributed two works described as complementing the home’s “spaceship vibes,” while German-Brazilian artist Janaina Tschape created a large-scale mural for the exhibition. [Dezeen]
A Unique Exhibition Platform
Founded in 2022, Aberto is an exhibition platform that promotes the intersection of architecture, art, and design. [ArchDaily] Prior to Casa Bola, Aberto has staged exhibitions in modernist buildings including Le Corbusier’s Maison La Roche in Paris. [Dezeen] According to Aberto founder and curator Filipe Assis, the pieces developed for the exhibition establish a dialogue with Casa Bola’s form, materiality, and the sense of humor characteristic of Eduardo Longo’s architecture. [Dezeen]
Casa Bola’s Legacy
Casa Bola defied the transparency and structural rationalism prevalent in much of Brazilian modernist architecture. [Wallpaper*] The house, hand-built by Longo between 1974 and 1979, remains little known despite being inhabited by the architect since its completion. [ArchDaily] It is considered one of the most radical works of Brazilian architecture, challenging conventional domestic space and reflecting Longo’s experimental vision. [ArchDaily]