Unveiling Italian Architectural Heritage in Brazil through traditional and digital archives

Abstract

The architectural heritage of a city reflects the culture that shaped it. In Brazil, between 1870 and 1920, European migrants, including many Italians, left a lasting mark on urban landscapes. Italians contributed as builders, engineers, and architects, introducing styles and techniques that shaped emerging cities. This influence is evident in Jaú and São Carlos (São Paulo), where Italian-inspired eclectic architecture remains visible.
This research, part of “KNOW.it – Transition in Digital Age: KNOWing our background to refine our future” PRIN 2022 PNRR project, explores and digitizes this heritage, focusing on formal and technical aspects. It highlights the importance of architectural drawings and aims to increase recognition of these cultural landmarks, emphasizing Italy’s deep impact on Brazil’s urban fabric. Despite their history, Jaú and São Carlos’s architectural heritage remains largely unknown. Archives holding original designs help uncover works by lesser-known architects, shedding light on their stylistic traits. The study examines graphic documentation, project records, and supply chains to trace architectural vocabulary and construction methods. However, Brazil’s documentary heritage is fragmented, with many records scattered or incomplete.
KNOW.it project began by cataloging archival documents. This paper focuses on these phases, followed by graphical analysis to define architectural language and styles linked to Italian workers. Digital models compare original designs with existing structures, deepening the study of Brazilian eclecticism.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.20365/disegnarecon.34.2025.18