The passing of Ruy Ohtake

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has learned with deep sorrow of the death of architect Ruy Ohtake on November 27.

Ruy Ohtake's work has transformed the urban landscape in many places in Brazil and around the world, but especially in São Paulo, which concentrates the largest number of his buildings.

Acclaimed among the main names in contemporary architecture, he received numerous honors throughout his career, including the Carlos Millan Award, in 1971, and the Comenda Colar de Ouro, in 2006, both from the Brazilian Institute of Architects.

Ruy Ohtake was a frequent contributor to Itamaraty's initiatives to promote Brazilian architecture internationally. The Brazilian Embassy in Tokyo is the greatest legacy of this partnership. Designed by the architect in 1981, the Embassy was considered by the New York Times as one of the gems of contemporary architecture in the Japanese capital.

The eldest son of renowned artist Tomie Ohtake (1913-2015), considered the Dame of Brazilian Fine Arts, Ruy and his family are an expression of the deep human relationships that unite Brazil and Japan.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its condolences to Ruy Ohtake's family, colleagues and friends and joins those who mourn the loss of one of the talents who projected Brazilian architecture abroad.