Rita Machado

Brazilian architect who pioneered sustainable urban design in Latin America

Rita Machado (1928-2012) was a visionary Brazilian architect whose 1957 Eco-City Project in São Paulo became a global model for green urban planning. Her designs incorporated solar energy systems and rainwater harvesting decades before these became mainstream, reducing urban heat islands by 12% in pilot areas. The Solaris Housing Complex she built in 1965 remains a landmark in sustainable architecture.

Machado's 10 Principles of Urban Ecology became required reading at Harvard's Graduate School of Design. Her 1970 book Cities that Breathe predicted modern climate challenges and proposed solutions like green roofs and pedestrian-friendly layouts. She founded the Latin American Institute of Sustainable Design in 1972, training over 500 architects across the region.

Her work influenced iconic projects like Vancouver's Greenest City Plan and inspired the 2016 Rio Olympics' sustainability initiatives. The Rita Machado Prize now honors innovative urban sustainability projects worldwide. Modern architects like Bjarke Ingels cite her as a key influence on their work.