A new cultural destination in London, celebrating Japan and funded by its government, has announced its public opening date. Called Japan House London, the new attraction will offer visitors authentic Japanese encounters when it opens on 22 June, with the best in the nation's art, design, gastronomy, innovation and technology. Almost every aspect of the new space has been derived “from source” in Japan. Japanese interior designer – Wonderwall principal

The new home for Brazil’s 50-year-old Museum of Image and Sound (MIS) is entering the final stages of its development, with the Diller Scofidio + Renfro-designed (DS+R) building taking shape on Rio’s beachfront. Opened in 1965, MIS offers a vast archive of photographs, film, documents and sound recordings reflecting the cultural history of Rio. In 2009, DS+F were selected from a number of world-class architects, beating the likes of Daniel

Brazilian design studio MMBB Arquitetos and legendary architect Paulo Mendes da Rocha have collaborated on the transformation of a disused tower block in central São Paulo into a vibrant leisure destination for the city. Created for Brazilian non-profit SESC, the 14-storey building, situated on Rua 24 de Maio and Rua Dom José de Barro, has been stripped of several unnecessary elements – including a bankrupt department store at its heart

Architects Chad Oppenheim and Arthur Casas have collaborated to create a dynamic hotel nestled between dilapidated 1950s apartment buildings on Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana beach. The Emiliano Rio has a distinctive façade of sculptural weatherproof panels which can be opened and closed from the bedroom balconies, resulting in a constantly shifting elevation. “Through these simple yet powerful spatial manipulations, the hotel optimises its beneficial attributes while subverting its negative forces,”

Luxury operator Four Seasons has announced plans to open its first property in Brazil in 2018. Located in Sao Paolo, the 250-bedroom hotel will be marketed as an urban retreat and is located in the Parque da Cidade – a large mixed-use complex currently under development in the city. The 29-storey hotel’s design will draw inspiration from Brazil's architecture and design traditions and will also house 84 Four Seasons Private

The architecture practice of Jean Nouvel have revealed new renderings of the plant-covered hotel they have designed for Rosewood in São Paulo. Developer Allard Group is transforming a complex of early 20th century landmark buildings in the Brazilian city into a development featuring a hotel and spa, private residences, art galleries, high-end retail and entertainment venues. Nouvel has been commissioned to create the centrepiece hotel, located in and around the

An abandoned Brazilian palace designed by iconic late architect Oscar Niemeyer is to finally see the light of day, with hotel group Oetker Collection opening the building as their first property in the Americas. Palácio Tangará will open in São Paulo in June 2017. The building was first constructed in the 1940s as Tangará Ranch, when wealthy Brazilian businessman Francisco ‘Baby’ Pignatari commissioned it as a gift to his fiance.

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has presented Brazilian architect Paulo Mendes da Rocha with the 2017 Royal Gold Medal for architecture. Given in recognition of a lifetime’s work, the Royal Gold Medal is given to a person or group of people who have had a significant influence “either directly or indirectly on the advancement of architecture”. Da Rocha is famous for his numerous cultural buildings in Brazil, particulalry

The team behind Rio’s recently opened Museum of Tomorrow has said that they want the museum to act as a hub of culture, information and science, inspiring the local community to great things and to leave a lasting legacy in the build up to this year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games. Speaking exclusively to CLAD, Luiz Alberto Oliveira, chief curator at the museum, said that the Santiago Calatrava-designed structure was a

A team of Brazilian architects, urbanists and engineers have designed for a university sports campus with a football field and running track on its roof. OSPA settled on the striking design when faced with the challenge of building a fully-equipped sports facility for a Brazilian university in a relatively small area. “Although the lot is small, we planned a campus with constant activity and public and fluid space,” said the

Brazil’s minister for tourism has said that the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro will act as a springboard for the country’s cultural attractions, cementing the Games’ legacy through improved infrastructure and tourist links in the years to come. Following its selection as Games host in 2009, Brazil has come under scrutiny in its preparations for the games, amid slashed budgets cleanliness issues and slow development. Despite

Brazilian architect and designer Guto Requena has completed a new interactive light facade around the Hotel WZ Jardins in São Paulo. Award-winning architect Guto Requena, creative director of Estudio Guto Requena, recently completed the new facade for the Hotel WZ Jardins as a research project exploring the ‘Hacked City’. The concept explores how we can bring positive changes to cities, their public spaces and architecture by plugging in poetic and

A complex of early 20th century landmark buildings in South America are being transformed into a stylish development featuring a hotel and spa, private residences, high-end retail and entertainment venues. As part of the project, historic buildings at the centre of São Paulo, Brazil, are being converted into art galleries, theatre and cinemas by the owner of the three hectare site – Allard Group. At the heart of the development,

A museum celebrating the Olympic legacy of Brazil will open in Rio de Janeiro in time for next year’s 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. To be built on the Barra da Tijuca, just behind the location of the Athletes' Village, the development will tell the story of the Rio 2016 Games and the wider history of Brazil at the Olympics, Paralympics and Winter Olympics as part of the country’s legacy

Brazilian football club SE Palmeiras has taken delivery of its new 43,600-capacity Allianz Parque stadium in Sao Paolo. Designed by Brazilian architects Edo Rocha Arquiteturas, the venue has been described as “Latin America’s most modern multi-purpose event complex”. With 43,600 covered seats – in addition to the 178 corporate boxes with seating for more than 3,000 people during football games – the venue is also equipped to host concerts, mega

Despite Germany’s attempt at crushing Brazil’s spirits in the 2014 Fifa World Cup, the nation's love of football has not been completely kicked to the wayside as plans have been unveiled for the world’s first Football Entertainment Centre to be built in Rio De Janeiro, allowing Brazil’s football legacy and love affair with the beautiful game, to continue. To be constructed in the form of a giant football which will

The organising committee for next year's football world cup in Brazil is coming under increased pressure to come up with a 'plan B' for some of the intended tournament venues. A number of stadium construction projects are badly behind schedule and the flagship project - Arena Corinthians in Sao Paolo, due to host the first game of the World Cup - suffered a tragic blow on Wednesday (27 November) when

A Brazilian spa backed by The Body Shop co-founder, AOL's former president and two local entrepreneurs has officially opened in the heart of the country's Atlantic Rainforest. The Botanique Hotel & Spa, said to be the first 100 per cent Brazilian spa, features indigenous treatments, essential oils, therapies and rituals and an all Brazilian staff. Designed by Sao Paulo architects Colletivo de Arquitetos the spa covers 10,000sq ft (929sq m)

Image: The spa will use exclusively Brazilian products The first '100 per cent Brazilian spa' is set to open at the Botanique Hotel & Spa mountain retreat, created by AOL co-founder, David Cole, founder of The Body Shop, Gordon Roddick and Brazilian entrepreneurs, Ricardo and Fernanda Semler. Set in 700 acres (283 hectares), in the mountains of Campos do Jordao, half way between Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the

Image: Leisure activities form part of the city vision A new masterplan vision designed by Broadway Malyan for Convida Suape, a new city in north east Brazil, has been launched by Moura Dubeux Engineering and Cone S/A. The development will be an extension of Cabo de Santo Agostinho near Recife, the capital city of the State of Pernambuco. It will boast "substantial provision" for leisure activities. Meanwhile, the proposals will

Brazilian premier league football team Grêmio Foot-Ball has appointed UK-based design consultancy Mather & Co to design and create a visitor attraction at its new Grêmio Arena. The 60,000 capacity arena, currently under construction in Porto Alegre, is set to be one of the venues of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. As part of the plans, Mather will produce a new visitor attraction, stadium tour, commercial hub and retail offer.

Hotel and Spa do Vinho in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, is set to become the latest property to join Marriott International's Autograph Collection early next year. The 128-bedroom property will join the collection under a franchise agreement with Harvest Administração d Bens Ltda and is located in the Bento Conçalves wine-making region. Facilities include the Spa do Vinho Caudalie, which offers wine- and vine- inspired therapies