Photos: T Reynes / Disclosure
Casa Higienópolis, also known as the palace of Nhonhô Magalhães, has finally reopened its doors to the public following almost a decade of restoration. Whenever I passed by there, I kept imagining the mannerisms of the time, the way the mansion was built and all its history. Once I even got to go inside and see the interior, but without a guide to help me. Now, in this more than special Open House, I visited with the best guide possible: Antonio Sarasá, the restorer of Casa Higienópolis!
Antonio told me in detail all the richness of the palace’s architecture. There, it is possible to appreciate different styles in different environments: from Moorish, also known as Hispano-Muslim, to art nouveau and modern. The restoration project also featured landscaping by Isabel Duprat and interiors by Luciana Teperman.
The mansion was built by the coffee baron Leôncio de Magalhães at the beginning of the 20th century and took regarding 15 years to complete, a time that ended up not allowing him to live there himself, leaving the palace to his family. Today, recognized as Casa Higienópolis, it hosts various events and guests, showing how restoration can bring benefits to the public and preserve history.
This Open House by Casa Higienópolis with Antonio Sarasá is a true class and visit to the past! On my Youtube channel, you can check out the full video. Already here, more photos and details regarding the house.
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Valentina’s House: How long did it take for the big house to be built?
Casa Higienópolis: Its construction was commissioned in 1927 and it took regarding 10 years to be delivered to the Magalhães family. Its architecture was inspired by French palaces, incorporating different artistic and architectural movements preferred at the time – such as neoclassical, Moorish, Manueline, Art Deco, Art Nouveau and Modernism.
CV: What regarding the paintings? What techniques were used?
Casa Higienópolis: Each environment (living rooms and bedrooms) was originally painted in different colors – following the tromp’oleil technique (“fools the eye”) – original painting using the scalpel pickling technique
CV: How was the landscaping project developed?
Casa Higienópolis: The landscaping project had the mission of recovering the gardens surrounding the palace. The vegetation consisting of an expressive tree body is complemented by plants that light up the garden, in waves accompanying the designs of the floors. Flowers and jabuticaba trees, which populated the old orchard and which might not be missing from the gardens of the time, were brought as a testimony of an era.
CV: How is space used nowadays?
Casa Higienópolis: In addition to hosting cultural, corporate and private events, Casa Higienópolis will periodically open guided tours. For the second half of the year, the Arq Tour project is planned, created by the mall and which, in addition to the CH, will tour other historic buildings in the neighborhood.
