The Poetics of Multidisciplinarity: Getting to Know Isay Weinfeld’s Work

Written by Camilla Ghisleni | Translated by Diogo Simões
Published on October 07, 2022

Fashion designer Paul Smith, British band Radiohead and Swedish film director Ingmar Bergman seem to have nothing in common, except for being constantly mentioned as major inspirations for São Paulo architect Isay Weinfeld. A multidisciplinary range of influences that says a lot about his personality and, accordingly , about his works.

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Born in São Paulo in 1952, Isay Weinfeld graduated in architecture from Universidade de Mackenzie but, from an early age, shared his professional passion with other disciplines, especially cinema. Between 1974 and 1984, Isay made fourteen short films in partnership with the architect, Márcio Kogan. The last one, Idos com o Vento (1983), was awarded at the festivals in Gramado, in Brazil, and in Huela, in Spain. In addition to short films, the duo filmed the feature film Fogo e Paixão (1988), which mocks the architectural and urban problems of São Paulo.

In the world of architecture, his different passions and influences converge on elegant and minimalist works, designed to offer welcoming and surprising environments, according to the wishes of each client. This affinity between architect and client, by the way, is considered by Isay a fundamental tool for the success of the project. His design, therefore, results from a natural connection between the architect's creativity and the client's desire. According to him, it is not a simple commercial relationship, but a poetic one.

In addition to references from other disciplines, within the architectural field it is possible to see in his works a strong influence of Mies Van Der Rohe, Oscar Niemeyer and Lina Bo Bardi in the composition of volumes and in the selective palette of materials, such as stone and timber. Besides them, it is possible to mention the Mexican architect Aurélio Martinez Flores as a great reference for his works, which are characterized by pure geometry, use of natural lighting, internal patios and layouts that surprise the user.

Since 1973, at the head of his office located in Vila Madalena, west of São Paulo, Isay Weinfeld has collected national and international awards, and his production encompasses architectural projects, furniture design, scenography and films. According to his definition, “this diversity, the result of a clear purpose, more than luck or chance, is based on the certainty that multidisciplinary action is essential to fostering a sharp creative spirit, and that professional practice is refined not only with constant exercise, but also with rigorous design, bold experimentation and tireless research in building a repertoire”.

Get to know some of Isay Weinfeld's main works below.