Mina Klabin Warchavchik

Casa da Rua Santa Cruz, Mina Klabin Warchavchik's native Brazilian gardens added character and excitement to the modernist buildings designed by her husband. Mina Klabin Warchavchik (1896 – 1969) was a Brazilian landscape architect

known for designing modern and abstract gardens composed of plants native to Southern Brazil. She created gardens surrounding homes designed by her husband, Brazilian modernist architect Gregori Warchavchik.

Biography Family history Mina Klabin was the eldest daughter of Bertha Obstrand and , a Lithuanian-Jewish immigrant who fled the Russian Empire. Her father had purchased property in Lithuania despite a decree from Czar Alexander III barring Jews from owning any land.

After being outed to the authorities he and other Jewish refugees made a long journey on foot to one of the Baltic ports, where he escaped to Britain. He later left for Brazil in search of better opportunities. She created landscapes alongside the eight São Paulo homes designed by her husband, which include Casa Modernista, Rua Itápolis, São Paulo and their own home Casa da Rua Santa Cruz. The Casa Modernista is considered the first modern building in Brazil. She has been credited with helping to establish the cactus as an icon of modern Brazilian design.

Other achievements Mina Klabin Warchavchik and Gregori Warchavchik were among the early supporters of the São Paulo municipal theater.