Originally built in 1979 from designs by the pioneering modern architect Rino Levi, the Galeria Federação das Indústrias do Estado de São Paulo (Gallery of the Industry Federation of the State of São Paulo) simultaneously celebrated work produced by artists and factories. It has hosted many art/technology events like FILE (the Electronic Language International Festival).

In 1997, Paulo Mendes da Rocha and the firm MMBB Arquitetos performed a highly successful architectural “intervention” that resulted in the addition of a light white steel and glass box to the exhibition space (Levi had left it bare, save for a series of massive concrete columns).

Paulista Avenue is also dotted with other fine examples of São Paulo’s fascination with modern architecture: Rino Levi’s Edifício Sulamerica (at the corner of Rua Frei Caneca), David Libeskind’s emblematic Conjunto Nacional (built in 1955 at corner of Rua Augusta) and Lina Bo Bardi’s cheery MASP. There are also some nice apartment buildings like Pilon and Gasperini’s Paulicéia (1956, at the corner of Alameda Campinas), and the 1950s architect Abelardo de Souza’s Nações Unidas (at the corner of Brigadeiro Luiz Antônio) and Três Marias (at the corner of Haddock Lobo).

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