Ícaro Mello

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games • Competed in Olympic Games (non-medal events)
SexMale
Full nameÍcaro•de Castro Mello
Used nameÍcaro•Mello
Born22 October 1913 in São Vicente, São Paulo (BRA)
Died8 October 1986 in São Paulo, São Paulo (BRA)
NOC Brazil

Biography

Ícaro de Castro Mello began studying civil engineering at the Instituto Mackenzie in São Paulo in 1931 and later changed over to the University of São Paulo, graduating in 1935. As an athlete, he was South American record holder in the high jump and pole vault. Competing at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, he failed to qualify for the high jump final.

In the same year Mello opened an architectural office and a construction company. In addition, he worked intermittently until 1966 for the Physical Education and Sports Department of the regional government of São Paulo. His office concentrated on the construction of sports facilities. Mello also planned residential, commercial, industrial, educational, and institutional projects and even a hydroelectric power plant. From 1950 to 1956 he was professor of architecture and urban planning at the University of São Paulo. He was also active in various regional and international professional associations.

In his designs of more than 100 sports facilities, he succeeded in combining the professionalism of the architect with the requirements of competitive sports. His most famous project was the indoor pool Água Branca (1949-51) in São Paulo. Officially called Piscina Coberta Adhemar de Barros, it consists of prefabricated parabolic concrete arches that form a continuous vault with a variable cross-section. The Sírio Sports Club was founded in São Paulo in 1917, initially as a soccer club. In 1949, with the support of patrons, to accommodate its growing membership the club moved to its current site next to the Airport Highway. Mello‘s first master plan outlined the layout of the facility, the shape of which earned it the name The Jewel from the Airport. Work on the first building began in 1950. Also in 1950, Mello planned the Sports Institute and associated facilities for the University of São Paulo in Butantã, in the area of the main campus on Rio Pinheiros.

Personal Best: HJ – 1.935 (1938).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1936 Summer Olympics Athletics BRA Ícaro Mello
High Jump, Men (Olympic) =23 r1/2
1952 Summer Olympics Art Competitions BRA Ícaro Mello
Architecture, Open (Olympic (non-medal)) AC
Architecture, Open (Olympic (non-medal)) AC
Architecture, Open (Olympic (non-medal)) AC