Two vertical towers between these two elements add drama and monumentality to this modernist design.
Cathedral of Brasília
(Image credit: Todd Eberle)
Where: Brasília When: completed 1970
The Roman Catholic cathedral of Brazil's newly – at the time – inaugurated capital, Brasilia, features a Niemeyer design, coming to life with some powerful engineering gymnastics by Brazilian structural engineer Joaquim Cardozo.
He believed in expressing creativity through curves and free-flowing forms rather than rigid geometries, which is evident in both his architectural and furniture designs.
3. His work creates landmarks celebrating Brazil’s natural beauty and showing how architecture can blend with the landscape.
Here are some examples of his work:
Pampulha Architectural Complex: This site has buildings with curved shapes that fit the nearby hills and water.
They are young architects just starting their careers, which I consider promising.
W*: Are there any Brazilian architects whose work you follow? During the afternoon, I dedicate a few hours to writing articles and working on Nosso Caminho. How does Jodhpur furniture incorporate sustainability like Niemeyer’s philosophy?
Jodhpur artisans use reclaimed wood, eco-friendly materials, and traditional joinery techniques to create long-lasting, sustainable furniture that aligns with Niemeyer’s purposeful design ethos.
8.
Niemeyer: I believe that the whole country, particularly the civil construction and tourism industries, should make the most of the proximity of the Olympic Games.
(Image credit: Leonardo Finotti)
W*: Which commission do you consider to be a key project in your career?
Together with Costa, he designed Brasilia, a project which contributed significantly to his expansive opus of over 500 buildings. Whether you admire his architectural genius or his approach to modern furniture, his work continues to inspire.
** Experience the Best of Jodhpur’s Handicraft & Automobile Craftsmanship**
At Kernig Krafts, we take inspiration from legends like Niemeyer to craft stunning furniture.
Le Corbusier’s Concepts Explained
Oscar Niemeyer Architecture Style: A Recap
Oscar Niemeyer’s architecture uses curved shapes, and creative concrete, and fits well with nature. Known for his revolutionary use of curves and reinforced concrete, Niemeyer’s work includes iconic structures such as the Cathedral of Brasília, the Niterói Contemporary Art Museum, and the Palácio do Planalto.
What kind of furniture does Kernig Krafts create in Jodhpur?
Kernig Krafts specializes in handcrafted wooden furniture, industrial furniture, and automobile-themed designs, all infused with a modernist design approach and customization options for clients.
7.
In the early 1980s, he was appointed by Leonel Brizola, governor of Rio de Janeiro state, to design a low-cost system for building schools. His body of work stands as an enormous achievement, instilling a great sense of pride in all generations of Brazilian architects and forming the bedrock of a design scene with a modern sensibility quite unlike that of any other country.
(Image credit: Leonardo Finotti)
9 key Niemeyer buildings
Edifício Copan
(Image credit: Todd Eberle)
Where: São Paulo When: 1966
Niemeyer is known for his sweeping curves and organic shapes, and the large-scale application of this approach on Edifício Copan, a multi-family housing scheme in São Paulo, is emblematic of his work.
Architecture still occupies considerable space in my life.
W*: What would you wish for the future of Brazilian architecture? The Hotel Nacional opened in 1972 at the height of the military regime, its 510 rooms and convention centre surrounded by a sculptural landscape of concrete and greenery.
At the hotel's peak was an observation deck, she entered beneath a thick canopy of rain-streaked concrete and provided 360-degree views of the city, the sea and the mountains.
Niemeyer’s design is simple, using large curves and clean lines to create a strong, impressive look.
Oscar Niemeyer International Cultural Centre: This building is big but simple. As a lifelong member of the Brazilian Communist Party, he wanted his designs to support equality and community.
Key Example:
Communist Party Headquarters: This building shows Niemeyer’s focus on equality and community.
Sculptural Curves and Organic Forms
Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer is known for his smooth curves and natural shapes. American modernism had hit the big time as a hyper-efficient tool of capitalism and mass consumption, while the Brazilian model, led by Niemeyer's poetic utopianism, was always more socially considered and less afraid of expression for expression's sake.
Brazil's official ideology was now diametrically opposed to Niemeyer's inherently leftist sympathies.
