Great news for art enthusiasts: the Museu da Casa Brasileira, the country’s only institution specializing in architecture and design, will finally have a new home! After three years without a permanent address, the foundation will occupy a historic residence in the Paraíba Valley, creating a new cultural hub in the interior of São Paulo.
The institution’s collection brings together furniture and objects that tell the story of the Brazilian home from the 17th to the 21st century. The collection helps us understand the evolution of domestic customs, making it essential for preserving the country’s collective memory.
From Faria Lima to the interior of São Paulo
The museum operated for decades at Solar Fábio Prado, in the very heart of the city’s financial district. Initially, the 1945 neoclassical mansion served as a residence for former mayor Fábio da Silva Prado and his wife, Renata Crespi. After her husband’s death, Renata donated the property to the Padre Anchieta Foundation, which granted the space to the design collection.
The Museu da Casa Brasileira occupied this address until April 2023, when the contract between the Department of Culture and the Foundation came to an end. Without a physical headquarters, the institution laid off its staff and archived its collection, which caused concern in the cultural scene. Fortunately, this hiatus has come to an end with the announcement of the new headquarters!
Casa Olivo Gomes: the new home of the Museu da Casa Brasileira
The Museu da Casa Brasileira will occupy the Olivo Gomes Residence , a modernist building in São José dos Campos. Designed by architect Rino Levi with landscaping by Burle Marx, the property was inaugurated in 1951 for the businessman of the same name, then owner of Tecelagem Parahyba.
The Olivo Gomes Residence is located in Burle Marx City Park, one of the region’s most important green spaces. The property is currently undergoing renovations to house the institution’s exhibitions and collection. The new headquarters is scheduled to open in May 2026, becoming a must-see destination for anyone seeking history and culture in the interior of São Paulo!
