Conjunto Residencial do Parque Guinle, Residential complex in Parque Guinle, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The Conjunto Residencial do Parque Guinle comprises three modernist buildings named Nova Cintra, Bristol, and Caledonia located in the Laranjeiras district. The complex sits on a sloping site with gardens designed by Burle Marx and includes medium to large apartments along with ground floor commercial spaces.
Lucio Costa began designing the complex in the 1940s; the three built towers were completed in stages: Nova Cintra in 1948, Bristol in 1950 and Caledônia in 1952. The scheme won the Collective Housing Prize at the 1st São Paulo Biennial in 1951, and IPHAN listed the complex in 1986.
The facades showcase traditional Brazilian architectural details such as ceramic tiles and decorative screens called cobogós. These elements connect the complex to local craftsmanship and shape how the streetscape feels to visitors.
The complex is accessible by public transport and situated in a residential area with daily services nearby. The sloping terrain requires sturdy footwear when exploring the site.
The facades display an unusual color combination of blue, pink, yellow, and white paired with natural ceramic textures that create a memorable visual identity. This warm palette was uncommon for modernist housing in Rio during the 1940s.
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