Amadeu Oliveira Coimbra, the German Ernesto August Boeckmann and the Brazilian Antônio de Góis.
While working in the civil construction sector, they engineered a solution that could naturally reduce the heat inside tropical houses,by constructing walls that allowed constant ventilation. These walls were built with hollow pre-fabricated modules, initially conceived in cement, called cobogó.
The inspiration for the cobogó came from the wooden window of colonial Portuguese style, which in turn were influenced by the Mashrabiya, Moorish architecture.
The cobogó became an important element of Brazilian modern architecture, and thus was extensively used in Brasília’s conception. It represented strongly the cultural identity of Brazil, was easy to produce and had low construction costs.
Since then, the cobogó has been designed in various different materials, and is incorporated in both interior and exterior design.
written by Bianca Guimarães Motta
Cover photo: Casa Walther Moreira Salles, architecte Olavo Redig de Campos/ Source: Instituto Moreira Salles, author Guilherme Wisnik
Edifício Bristol Parque Guinle, architecte Lúcio Costa/ Source: Estadão
Hospital Sul América, architecte Oscar Niemeyer/ Photo Marcel Gautherot
Housing Building Brasília, architecte Oscar Niemeyer
Casa Sumaré, architecte Isay Weinfeld/ Source: Archdaily, photo Nelson Kon
Casa Jardins, architectes CR2 Arquitetura/ Source: CR2 Arquitetura, photo Fran Parente
B+B House, architectes Studio MK27/ Source: Studio MK27, photo Nelson Kon
Cobogó House, architectes Studio MK27 + artist Erwin Hauer / Source: Studio MK27, photo Nelson Kon
Cobogó House, architectes Studio MK27 + artist Erwin Hauer / Source: Studio MK27, photo Nelson Kon