The 35th anniversary edition of CASACOR Rio de Janeiro transforms the Aliança da Bahia Building into a multifunctional vertical journey, uniting architecture, design, art, gastronomy and new ways of living, connecting Rio's modernist past to new ways of experiencing the city
Submitted at Sep 15, 2026, 8:00 AM
Studio Marino - Casa Abraço DECA. Projeto da CASACOR Rio de Janeiro 2026. (André Nazareth/CASACOR)
CASACOR Rio de Janeiro 2026 celebrates its 35th anniversary with a historic edition that reaffirms its deep connection with the city by occupying the Aliança da Bahia Building, in downtown Rio de Janeiro. Facing the Gustavo Capanema Palace, one of the landmarks of modern Brazilian architecture, the show transforms the modernist building into a large contemporary, versatile and multipurpose condominium, bringing together different ways of living, social spaces, art, design, gastronomy and leisure experiences.
Check out all the projects below!
With the theme Mind and Heart, the edition proposes a reflection on the home as an extension of who we are and on the way spaces can foster bonds, memories and new relationships with the city. Throughout the floors, the show's architecture establishes a direct dialogue with Rio's history, with the modernist heritage and with the transformation process currently underway in the central region.
"Celebrating 35 years of CASACOR Rio is also celebrating the city's own transformation. Throughout this journey, the show has followed behavioral changes, launched professionals, brought together architecture, design and art, and helped build an increasingly attentive perspective on the carioca identity. Returning to Downtown, precisely in a commemorative edition, has a special meaning because it allows us to look to the past without nostalgia and, at the same time, think about the future. This edition is about memory, but above all about permanence, reinvention and our ability to keep provoking new perspectives on the way we live," states Patricia Quentel, director of CASACOR Rio.
Edifício Aliança da Bahia, no centro do Rio de Janeiro, será o cenário da edição comemorativa de 35 anos da CASACOR Rio em 2026. (Divulgação/CASACOR)
The choice of the Aliança da Bahia Building reinforces one of the characteristics that have accompanied CASACOR Rio's trajectory for three and a half decades: the ability to occupy emblematic spaces and give new meanings to buildings and territories in the city. The building's retrofit project was signed by the architect Ruy Rezende, in his last work, and the show's arrival at the site preserves this architecture as an essential part of the experience.
"Choosing the Aliança da Bahia Building for this edition was a decision that goes beyond occupying an emblematic address. There is a very clear intention to bring life back to a modernist building, exploring its different scales and functionalities and creating an experience that makes sense for today's city. CASACOR takes over the building as a true contemporary condominium, in which private spaces coexist with meeting areas, gastronomy, culture, work and leisure. It's a way of showing that architecture can transform itself without losing its essence and that buildings like this can once again play an active role in the urban dynamics of Downtown," states Patricia Mayer, director of CASACOR Rio.
The layout of CASACOR Rio 2026, signed by architect Mário Santos, starts from the housing dynamics of downtown Rio to create a visiting experience that follows the logic of a contemporary condominium. Studios, lofts, compact apartments and projects of different dimensions are distributed across the floors, accompanied by common areas that encourage meeting and social interaction.
The proposals range from approximately 40 sqm to 140 sqm, presenting different interpretations of contemporary living and the relationship between private and shared spaces. Vertical circulation becomes part of the show's narrative, guiding the visitor through a sequence of projects that alternate residence, work, well-being, gastronomy, culture and entertainment.
Recepção do Edfício Aliança da Bahia. (Divulgação/CASACOR)
The visit begins on the ground floor, at the building's main reception, designed by Ruy Rezende and kept in its original configuration. The intervention is minimal, with the introduction of two benches by Sérgio Rodrigues, in dialogue with the work by Gustavo Prado, conceived especially for the space.
In the elevator hall, a general map presents the floors and contextualizes the building's history and CASACOR Rio's occupation proposal. Throughout the tour, the halls on each floor also feature specific maps, allowing visitors to understand the distribution of the projects and the professionals responsible for each project.
Capuri Arquitetura - Bar do 19. Projeto da CASACOR Rio de Janeiro 2026. (André Nazareth/CASACOR)
On the 15th floor, the rooftop brings together spaces more geared toward leisure, gastronomy and entertainment. The arrival is marked by Bar do 19, designed by Capuri Arquitetura, making its CASACOR debut. The space will feature drinks and a menu signed by Cooking Buffet. Next, Astrodome Bistrô, by Diego Raposo + Arquitetos, will be the edition's restaurant, with a menu by Cooking Buffet, from chef Adriana Mattar.
In the outdoor area, Jardim do Bistrô, with landscaping by Denise Shalom, expands the experience to the open sky and to the urban landscape of downtown. The route ends at Bolhas – Champagne Bar, designed by Maurício Nóbrega Arquitetura, in partnership with Fairmont Rio, the show's official hotel. The sparkling wine and champagne list is curated by Woods Wine.
The ensemble establishes, from the very beginning of the visit, a connection between architecture, gastronomy and urban life, before the public dives into the projects distributed throughout the other floors. On the rooftop, an observatory created in partnership with Rio Memórias expands this experience by revealing, with the naked eye, the architectural and landscape richness of the surroundings. From the terrace of the Aliança da Bahia Building, visitors will be able to contemplate icons such as the Gustavo Capanema Palace, the headquarters of the Brazilian Press Association (ABI), the Ministry of Labor, as well as Guanabara Bay, Flamengo Park and, on days of good visibility, Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain. More than a viewpoint, the space presents itself as a manifesto about the importance of reoccupying downtown Rio de Janeiro, valuing its architecture, its landscape and its potential to once again consolidate itself as a hub for coexistence, housing, culture and commercial activity.
Joaquim Marçal - Galeria Rio Memórias - Expo Entre Tempos. Projeto da CASACOR Rio de Janeiro 2026. (André Nazareth/CASACOR)
Starting on the 7th floor, the journey through the residential and commercial projects begins. The hall welcomes the Rio Memórias Gallery - Expo Entre Tempos - curated by Joaquim Marçal, a large mapping of the building's surroundings, placing the visitor in downtown Rio and bringing together information, curiosities and tips about the region, in dialogue with the Reviver Centro Project and with research carried out by Rio Memórias.
Among the floor's highlights are Entre Casa e Cidade, designed by CAJOO.studio, the Estúdio 7 loft, by Amanda Miranda, Estúdio Orbe, by Raphael Assaf, and Sala do Empreendedor, designed by Erick Figueira de Mello. Next, Ateliê Devir, by Cité Arquitetura, proposes a more authorial and sensory reading of the space, while Entre Olhar & Sentir, by Pedro Coimbra, completes the route as a meeting point for conversations and activities promoted by the Council of Architecture and Urbanism of Rio de Janeiro throughout the show.
Studio Marino - Casa Abraço DECA. Projeto da CASACOR Rio de Janeiro 2026. (André Nazareth/CASACOR)
On the 6th floor, the circulation and front area feature projects by Bel Lobo and Marianna Travassos, named A Forma Informal – Sergio Rodrigues, launching the celebrations of the centenary of Sergio Rodrigues, one of the leading names of Brazilian modernism and national furniture design. The floor also brings together two large projects of approximately 140 sqm intended for sponsors: Casa Abraço DECA, designed by Cadé Marino, which presents the brand's solutions, and Casa Entretempos | Brastemp, designed by Gisele Taranto, which incorporates the brand's products into the project. Lastly, two lofts, Casa Una, by Jacira Pinheiro, and Permanência, by LessaZanetta, complete the floor.
On the 5th floor, the circulation gains the Artist Gallery Expo Interseções | Marcelo Monteiro curated by Vanda Klabin an artistic intervention by Marcelo Monteiro, curated by Vanda Klabin, a Brazilian social scientist, art historian, researcher and curator, recognized for her work in the research and promotion of Brazilian modern and contemporary art.
Carla Napolião e Allan Napolião - Suíte Repouso do Tempo. Projeto da CASACOR Rio de Janeiro 2026. (André Nazareth/CASACOR)
The route brings together different ways of living and dwelling, beginning with the Suíte Repouso do Tempo, by Carla Napolião and Allan Napolião, which integrates living area, closet, kitchen and bathroom, followed by the Recôndito Remanso, by Sérgio Conde Caldas Arquitetura, conceived as a psychoanalysis office, hall and reconnection nook. The Suíte Pausa, by Fernando Lanner Arquitetura, incorporates a SPA into the suite program, while the Entreatos loft, by Tiago Freire, expands the experience into a complete residential configuration. The floor closes with the Estúdio Entre Palmas, by Cristina Japiassú Arquitetura, and the Travessia loft, which complete the diversity of proposals on this level.
Also located on this floor is the CasaShopping project, the official shopping mall of CASACOR Rio, signed by Claudia Pimenta and Patrícia Franco. The project starts from the challenge of bringing together, in a single composition, the largest possible number of retailers and suppliers from the mall, recognized as the largest decoration shopping mall in Latin America, translating this multiplicity into a cohesive and contemporary experience.
Rafael Ramos Arquitetura - Loft Pilotis. Projeto da CASACOR Rio de Janeiro 2026. (André Nazareth/CASACOR)
On the 4th floor, different interpretations of living unfold in a collection of spaces that traverse the contemporary, from the living room to the lofts, passing through the children's universe. The route begins with the Desvio Moderno, by Tom Castro Arquitetura, which brings together living room and hall, followed by the Casa CO/EXISTIR, by STUDIOPLANO, and the Loft Pilonis, by Rafael Ramos Arquitetura. In dialogue with this diversity, Toda Infância, by Sophia Abraham Interiores, presents a children's bedroom integrated with a garden.
The floor also hosts the Casa Glade by Paula Neder | PN+, which introduces the new White Tea fragrance, a brand launch that also served as inspiration for the project's concept, in a composition of integrated living, dining and kitchen. Closing the route, the Casa de Memórias proposes a residential atmosphere that articulates living room, powder room and garden.
Paula Müller - Casarão Senta, Teresa!. Projeto da CASACOR Rio de Janeiro 2026. (André Nazareth/CASACOR)
The 3rd floor, in turn, brings together projects that expand the possibilities of contemporary living, in a combination of affection, coexistence, well-being and different life configurations. The route begins with the CASARÃO SENTA, TERESA!, by Paula Müller, followed by the Cozinha Infusão em Noz, by Juliana Acar and Flavia Dias Arquitetura, which articulates an affective kitchen and living area. The Prosa Carioca, by Fernanda Medeiros Arquitetura, and the Casa Bric, by Bric Arquitetura, continue the tour through proposals of a residential character.
One of the highlights of the floor is Um Lugar Para Todos, by Jairo de Sender and Corbellini Lopes Arquitetura, created for a 60+ couple, in which the resident is a wheelchair user. A participant in the first edition of CASACOR Rio, Jairo returns in this commemorative edition as a tribute to the exhibition's trajectory.
Grão Arquitetura - Fio Condutor. Projeto da CASACOR Rio de Janeiro 2026. (André Nazareth/CASACOR)
The route also includes Fio Condutor, by Grão Arquitetura in partnership with Galeria Hathi, which proposes an immersive experience based on the thread that draws the weave of rugs and tapestries. The proposal transforms the circulation into a playful forest, with branches, shadows, natural fiber fabrics and overlapping rugs that guide the visitor through a path marked by discoveries and different light atmospheres, in a poetic interpretation of the balance between Mind and Heart.
Closing the floor, the Espaço de Cura, by Natália Lemos Arquitetura, proposes a loft dedicated to well-being and introduces Avène's new thermal line.
On the 2nd floor, CASACOR Rio pauses its journey full of residential and commercial solutions to present a special exhibition dedicated to the history of Brazilian design. Curated by Lissa Carmona of ETEL Design, the Galeria Modernista Expo FRAGMENTOS DO AVESSO | curated by Lissa Carmona presents a selection from the exhibition dedicated to Percival Lafer, originally shown at SP–Arte. At 90 years old, the designer remains active and is presented as a living reference of Brazilian modernism. Lafer's furniture, currently reissued by ETEL, gains new meaning within the CASACOR context.
ETEL e Lissa Carmona - Galeria Modernista Expo Fragmentos do Avesso. Projeto da CASACOR Rio de Janeiro 2026. (André Nazareth/CASACOR)
In dialogue with his pieces, ETEL presents previously unseen works by Paulo Werneck, one of the great muralists of the Brazilian modernist period. The presence of his works establishes a direct relationship with the architecture and the surrounding landscape, marked by the concentration of important examples of modern architecture in downtown Rio.
The exhibition broadens the discussion proposed by the show on memory, permanence and transformation, bringing fundamental names of Brazilian design and art closer to a new generation of visitors.
Back on the ground floor, CASACOR Rio expands its relationship with the city and transforms the free circulation area into a territory of encounters, coexistence and experiences. The journey begins with Clareira, by Pedro Rabelais, a green oasis of approximately 200 m² in the heart of downtown Rio, followed by Chez Patricia | Café, a café designed by Ana Cano and Daniel Marques Mendes. More than a space for pause and coexistence, the projects pay tribute to directors Patricia Mayer and Patricia Quentel, who for 35 years have stimulated the national and international gaze on the Carioca way of living, art, design, architecture and local identity.
Ana Cano e Daniel Marques Mendes - Chez Patricia. Projeto da CASACOR Rio de Janeiro 2026. (André Nazareth/CASACOR)
Next, the Chef's Secret Kitchen, also by Ana Cano and Daniel Marques Mendes, brings gastronomy and architecture together; the CASACOR Bookstore, by Bianca Sieberer Arquitetura e Interiores, creates a space dedicated to the editorial universe and design; and Loja da Casa, by Anna Fadul Arquitetura, combines shop and coexistence. The tour continues through Olhar Carioca | Optics, from Gustavo Eyewear signed by Luan Freitas, and through the Jewelry Store, by Paula Costa Arquitetura, before reaching Avesso Speakeasy, by Altera Arquitetura e Interiores, which closes the ground floor route.
The landscape project of Jardim do Café stems from the pocket forest concept, a trend gaining ground in large cities as a strategy for inserting green areas into dense urban territories. Like the rooftop, the ground floor will have free access, reinforcing the proposal to reoccupy the building and bring CASACOR Rio closer to the daily life of downtown. The initiative transforms passage areas into places of permanence, encounter and discovery, connecting architecture, gastronomy, culture and commerce.
As it turns 35, CASACOR Rio reaffirms a trajectory marked by the discovery of new spaces, by the launch of professionals and by bringing architecture, design, art and culture closer together. The 2026 edition takes this vocation to downtown Rio and transforms a modernist building into a kind of laboratory for thinking about the contemporary city. The occupation of the Aliança da Bahia Building proposes looking at heritage not only as memory, but as a living structure, capable of receiving new uses and accompanying the social and cultural transformations of the city.
Pedro Coimbra Arquitetura - Entre Olhar & Sentir. Projeto da CASACOR Rio de Janeiro 2026. (André Nazareth/CASACOR)
Under the theme “Mind and Heart”, the show puts into perspective the relationship between individual, home and territory. As they walk through apartments, lofts, studios, workspaces, communal areas, gardens, restaurants and artistic installations, visitors find different answers to the same question: how do we want to live and what spaces can welcome new ways of being in the world?
This edition also expands its connection with Rio's cultural agenda by integrating, for the first time, the programming of the Art & Culture Week, an initiative of the Municipal Secretariat of Culture, taking place from September 16 to 27, in the city's Downtown area. The participation reinforces CASACOR Rio's vocation to act as a meeting platform between architecture, design, art and culture, and expands the show's dialogue with the movement of reoccupation and appreciation of the central region.
CAJOO.studio - Entre Casa e Cidade. Projeto da CASACOR Rio de Janeiro 2026. (André Nazareth/CASACOR)
CASACOR Rio also debuts as a media partner of O Globo in this edition. In a joint production with CASACOR and Rio Memórias, Expo Rio Entre Tempos presents a research of images and texts based on the newspaper's collection and archive, bringing memory, heritage and city history closer to the experience proposed by the show.
When: from September 15 to November 8, 2026
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, from 12pm to 10pm
Where: Edifício Aliança da Bahia, Rua Araújo Porto Alegre, 36, Centro, Rio de Janeiro – RJ
Tickets: from R$ 60 (half-price) to R$ 120 (full price)
Box office: online, official CASACOR app and on-site sales
Social media: @casacorrio_oficial
CASACOR Rio de Janeiro 2026 has Master Sponsorship by Deca, Official Paint by Coral, Local Sponsorship by Brastemp, Official Fragrance by Glade, Local Support by Portinari, Official Shopping Mall Casa Shopping, Official Supplier ALA, Official Hotel Fairmont Rio de Janeiro Copacabana, Technology Partner Claro, Institutional Sponsorship CAU/RJ, Institutional Support from Rio City Hall – Culture and Visit Rio, and media partner O Globo.
CASACOR Rio de Janeiro announces the lineup for the edition celebrating 35 years traduzido por: OPENROUTER
CASACOR Rio joins the official calendar of Rio's Art and Culture Week traduzido por: OPENROUTER
Patricia Quentel discusses new paths for architecture events at Salão Rio de Interiores traduzido por: OPENROUTER
