Domus: In general, architects in Brazil are forced to work for the rich classes. Why aren’t the conditions created to enable them to get closer to the people by laying the foundations on which to build more dignified homes?

Lina Bo Bardi: A nice question, but idealist and ingenuous. Architects, exactly like other professionals, doctors, engineers or economists, depend on the country’s socio-economic structure. To change it you would have to attempt a revolution, but failing that, you are compelled to work within the system. However we must never give up the struggle; to struggle for change is the only thing worthy of man, of any real person. Indeed, for example the Salida de la Misericordia at Bahia, will continue to be inhabited by the same people who were there before its restoration. It won’t be turned into weekend flats, bachelor establishments or things like that.
As with teaching, I believe there should be only public and free education. I am against private education exactly as in my work I am against private clients. I have designed only two or three houses for friends, for people very close to me. If someone with money were to ask me to design a house for him or her I would refuse. I work for public power, I don’t believe in private enterprise, not even in a capitalist country. And in Brazil I have always succeeded in doing what I wanted without accepting conditions or shady compromises – despite being not just an architect, but a woman as well. And for that reason I declare myself a Stalinist and a anti-feminist. Of course, if you are a woman and talk like a hen and have no qualifications, then all is ruined, there’s nothing you can do.