Summary of Key Points
This article tells the story of Chu Ming, a Chinese-born architect from Shanghai who, after immigrating to Brazil, designed the globally popular eggshell-shaped telephone booths (referred to as "Little Ears" by Brazilians). Over 50,000 of these booths have been built in Brazil, and they have also been exported to countries such as Peru and Angola, with some even making their way back to China. Scholar Pei Zhao, through years of research, has uncovered Chu Ming's achievements, tracing her journey from immigration to becoming a symbol of Brazilian industrial design and highlighting her cross-cultural significance as a representative of Latin American Chinese.
I. From Shanghai to Brazil: Chu Ming’s Unconventional Path as an Architect
Chu Ming was born in 1941 in Shanghai, with a father who worked as an air force engineer. At the age of 8, she moved with her family to Hong Kong and the following year immigrated to São Paulo, Brazil. After graduating from high school, she enrolled at Mackenzie Presbyterian University, a renowned institution in Brazil, where she studied architecture (she shares alumni with the Pritzker Prize winner). However, as an immigrant woman, she faced significant barriers in entering the construction industry due to the prevailing societal prejudices against women immigrants.
She chose a creative approach: in 1966, she joined the Brazilian telephone company as an internal designer, working on projects such as telephone centers and service stations. This experience not only provided her with practical skills but also laid the foundation for her later designs. In 1968, she was promoted to project manager, and it was during this time that she conceived the eggshell-shaped telephone booth, which would later transform the urban landscape of Brazil.
II. The "Little Ears" Telephone Booth: Solving Brazilian Consumers’ Problems
During the 1960s and 1970s, Brazil experienced rapid economic growth, leading to a influx of young people into cities. Calling from shops and bars required waiting in long queues, which was very inconvenient. The existing cylindrical telephone booths were expensive, bulky, and prone to damage from pedestrians.
Chu Ming set out to create a more user-friendly, aesthetically pleasing, and affordable solution. Inspired by the soundproofing of theater domes, she designed the eggshell shape to reflect noise outside while focusing sound inside, creating a private listening space for each user. She carefully selected materials for both indoor and outdoor use—those suitable for rain and sun protection, with low production costs, enabling mass production.
The first batch of booths was installed in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo in 1972, and they were an immediate success, earning nicknames such as "Little Ears," "Tulip," and "Space Helmet." By 2017, a total of 52,000 booths had been built, and they are still in use despite the widespread adoption of mobile phones.
III. Beyond Telephone Booths: Chu Ming’s Diverse Achievements and Family Legacy
The success of the telephone booth brought her fame at the age of 30. She subsequently joined a French industrial design firm, working on large-scale projects such as dams and power plants, and later ventured into visual communication design, restarting her own studio to create residential buildings. Her homes feature sloping roofs made of cast concrete and incorporate elements of Chinese gardens.
Chu Ming advocated for an "organic" design philosophy, where architectural spaces should function like living organs. For example, the bathroom in her son’s room features rounded corners and soft yellow mosaics to prevent injuries and create a sense of comfort. Her second son, Alan, followed in her footsteps as an architect, while her eldest son became a architectural photographer. In 2017, Google used her image in a graffiti campaign to acknowledge her impact on people's daily lives.
IV. The Forgotten Legacy of the Chinese: Pei Zhao’s Discovery and Cultural Connection
Pei Zhao, a scholar specializing in Latin American architecture, discovered the existence of the Brazilian architect Chu Ming while researching literature in 2022. Using the traditional Chinese character for "Chu Ming," he contacted her son and recognized her significant contribution to Latin American culture. He believes that Chu Ming should not be forgotten as an outstanding representative of Latin American Chinese who used practical and culturally inspired designs to transform urban spaces.
Pei Zhao’s new book, "Mazes and Waymarks," documents the stories of more than 300 Latin American architects, including Chu Ming. He has also collaborated with the Shenzhen He Xiangning Art Museum to organize exhibitions featuring overseas Chinese artists. In 2025, Cai Chong, a Cuban-Chinese architect, returned to China to participate in an exhibition, highlighting the contributions of Chinese people around the world.
This article not only tells the story of an accomplished architect but also highlights how immigrant communities use their wisdom and culture to positively impact their new homes. These "forgotten names" deserve to be remembered for the significant role they have played in shaping local societies.