Where to See the Incredible Architecture of Oscar Niemeyer

If you haven’t heard of Oscar Niemeyer architecture, you probably won’t forget him after this post, and you might even start making plans to visit some of his buildings. The architecture of Oscar Niemeyer is unforgettable. Fortunately for you, you can see some of his work in places around the world (France, Italy, Spain, Algeria, Malaysia), but for the real experience, you have to go to Brazil.

Who was Oscar Niemeyer?

Niemeyer was born in 1907 (he is still living and working at the age of 104!) in Rio de Janeiro. He later became one of the greatest designers of modern architecture in the 20th century. He worked with Le Corbusier, helped design the United Nations Headquarters in New York, and was twice offered positions at Harvard and Yale but was unable to get a visa to enter the U.S. because of his communist leanings.

His work is best known for its curving shapes and its innovative use of reinforced concrete that allows his buildings to stand with little visible support. The curving lines, stark white exteriors, and circular interiors are classic features of his unique style. He claimed:

“I am not attracted to straight angles or to the straight line, hard and inflexible, created by man. I am attracted to free-flowing, sensual curves. The curves that I find in the mountains of my country, in the sinuousness of its rivers, in the waves of the ocean, and on the body of the beloved woman. Curves make up the entire Universe, the curved Universe of Einstein.”

Where to see Oscar Niemeyer architecture?

Because he lived so long and designed many large projects in Brazil, there are many opportunities to see his architecture in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and especially Brasilia.

Oscar Niemeyer architecture in São Paulo:

Some of Niemeyer’s work can be seen at a few locations in São Paulo, Brazil: a complex of buildings called the Latin American Memorial, the Copan apartment building (one of São Paulo’s iconic images), and Parque Ibirapuera.

Ibirapuera Park: Oscar Niemeyer architecture in a green space

Any visit to São Paulo is not complete without a day at Parque Ibirapuera. Besides the vast green space, this park is filled with Oscar Niemeyer architecture including the Museu Afro-Brasil, Ibirapuera Auditorium, Bieniel, and Oca. 

Latin American Memorial: Oscar Niemeyer architecture in São Paulo:

Niemeyer’s buildings are often accompanied by his sculptures:

Niemeyer’s hand sculpture at the Memorial da América Latina includes a map of Latin America dripping red blood, symbolizing the oppression and sacrifices of the Latin American people.

Copan: classic Oscar Niemeyer architecture in São Paulo

Copan is a 38-story apartment building in downtown São Paulo and is one of the city’s most recognized landmarks. Finished in 1966, it has the largest floor area of any residential building in the world!

Its curving shape snakes around and behind the building next to it, creating an unusual shape that is one of the city’s best-known images.

Oscar Niemeyer architecture in Brasilia

Possibly his most important commission was the architecture for the country’s new capital city, Brasilia, starting in 1956. This project meant Niemeyer and his colleague, Lúcio Costa, a city planner, designed a kind of utopian city, built from scratch in the middle of nowhere.

What resulted is a highly-planned, futuristic city center full of Niemeyer’s shapes. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, just 27 years after it was completed. The city center includes several Niemeyer buildings including the following:

Oscar Niemeyer architecture in Rio de Janiero

Perhaps the most interesting architectural marvel of Rio de Janeiro is the Contemporary Art Museum in Niterói, just across the bay from Rio. This museum is an excellent example of his love of circular shapes and minimalistic design that seems to defy gravity. The museum looks like a spaceship to many, like a flower to others.

Oscar Niemeyer’s work in other places: 

Have you seen the architecture of Niemeyer before? Would you like to visit Brazil to see his work?

Learn more about art around the world with other ArtSmart posts:

The Emergence of Gothic Architecture from Eurotravelogue

Miami Art Deco Architecture from Culture Tripper

Monticello–America’s First Great Mansion from Daydream Tourist

Photos are mine and from Wikipedia Commons & Pexels.