AD Classics: National Congress / Oscar Niemeyer


© Filipe Frazao / Shutterstock.com

© Filipe Frazao / Shutterstock.com
  • architects: Oscar Niemeyer
  • Location: National Congress – Praça dos Três Poderes, Brasilia, Brasília – Federal District, 70160-900, Brazil
  • Project Year: 1960
  • Photographs:
  • Photographs: Flickr User may_inthesky
  • Photographs: Limogi
  • Photographs: Andrew Prokos
  • Photographs: flickr user agenciasenado
  • Photographs: Agência Brasil

Located at the head of the abstract bird-shaped city plan by Lúcio Costa, and as the only building within the central greensward of the eastern arm of the Monumental Axis, the palace of the National Congress (Congresso Nacional) enjoys pride of place among Oscar Niemeyer’s government buildings in Brasília. The most sober of the palaces on the Plaza of the Three Powers, the National Congress reflects the strong influence of Le Corbusier, while hinting at the more romantic and whimsical forms that characterize Niemeyer’s trademark Brazilian Modernism.

Read more »