DIA News 11.2018

São Paulo – A city of diversity

Attractive and varied architecture, a vibrant culture and many tempting Cachaça options in an unbelievably large multicultural city full of contrasts. This is one way to summarize the impressions of our colleagues from their project trip to São Paulo. Without further ado, here is their top 10 list!

An urban jungle

The hustle and bustle of a large metropolis combined with a sense of calmness: 5-lane roads and endless lines of cars dominate the view below, while above – in the air – planes race around skyscrapers and helicopters land on the roofs. And then a stunning realization hits you: the locals accept this with remarkable serenity – there is no rush, no tailgating and no honking.

sao paulo, read

The food scene

Authentic Brazilian restaurants, French live cooking, traditional cuisine… The food scene in São Paulo is metropolitan, international and diverse – both in terms of restaurant interiors and the sheer variety of food. Our personal highlight: On most days, a huge buffet is prepared at lunchtime and there is always something delicious for every taste. Some of the more memorable dishes include the dishes with cassava, tapioca, and virtually all of Bahian cuisine.

Copan

Over 100,000 square meters of living space in a single building is something that is very much unique worldwide: The »Copan«, designed by Oscar Niemeyer, is immediately noticeable in the city’s skyline and provides magnificent views both from the outside and from the inside. At the lowest of the 32 floors, the residents of the building – some 5,000 people – have access to their own urban infrastructure in the form of various shops, restaurants and other facilities.
That’s what an apartment in Copan can look like → Go to Architectural Digest

Concrete architecture

A robust concept for a harsh and yet strangely fascinating style of architecture. The buildings are beautiful in their own rugged way, have elaborate facades and provide stunning vistas.

Street art

Yes, we now definitely understand why São Paulo is referred to as the cultural capital of Brazil. Countless museums (most notably, the MASP of Lina Bo Bardi), exhibitions, theater and concert events attest to the vibrant cultural life of the city. On the streets, many residents express themselves artistically – both through large-scale facade paintings and through much smaller works of art, some of which can only be identified if you look a little bit closer.

Caipirinha culture

The Caipirinha menus in the restaurants are quite long – and appropriately diverse, with many different variants featuring ginger root, fresh tropical fruits or chili. In addition, some bars offer a huge selection of Cachaça drinks and even gladly invite customers to try out the drinks for free ;-).

Facade structures

The city is full of high-rise buildings originating from different eras, with each building having its own style and character. Colonial time, eclecticism, modern Brazilian architecture… – each façade is unique and different from the others. Caution: Neck pain in the evening is all but assured after a full day of walking through the streets and admiring the huge variety of amazing structures.

Market hall

A colorful bustle and an experience for all the senses: the scent of spices blends with the taste of freshly pressed sugar cane juice and the lively rhythm of human voices.

A city that never ends

Experiencing the city from the perspective of a high-rise building is fascinating and paradoxical at the same time. When you stand on the roof, you feel all alone and yet you are right in the middle of a huge metropolis. While looking off in the far distance, we were slowly overcome by a certain feeling of awe: before us stretched rows and rows of skyscrapers as far as the eye could see.

Friendliness

When you are in a foreign country, it is especially pleasing when you receive a warm reception and are made to feel welcome, when you meet friendly people and are given great tips, as well as authentic insights. We would like to convey our sincere gratitude to the architects and »paulistanos«, Nathália and Pedro.