National Congress: learn about the history of Oscar Niemeyer's work

The National Congress is one of the most famous buildings in Brazil. Not only because it was designed by the great architectural genius, Oscar Niemeyer , but also because it is the seat of the Legislative Branch in Brazil. It is one of the buildings that make up the Praça dos Três Poderes (Three Powers Square). (which, in addition to Congress, also houses the Supreme Federal Court building and the Planalto Palace - all built by Niemeyer). It is no wonder that Niemeyer is known for " building Brasília ". The architect was involved in the planning of several buildings in the state; and the Praça dos Três Poderes, designed by Lúcio Costa, is the most popular. According to Niemeyer himself, the Congress building is his favorite of the complex. The building was inaugurated in 1960 and faithfully reflects the architect's modernism and the influence of Le Corbusier on his work. The project for the Praça dos Três Poderes was part of from Juscelino Kubitschek's plan of " Fifty Years in Five ".

What is the National Congress building like?

One of the inspirations for bringing together the summits was the structure of the Capitol in the USA. In 1987, Brasília was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO , an important milestone for the modernist movement, as it was the first example of the time to achieve this distinction.

Modernist work

The National Congress building is one of the symbols of modern architecture in Brazil. Organic shapes, glass facades open to the public, and integrated spaces are striking features of Brasília's buildings. Asymmetry is also a striking feature, in addition to the rougher finishes, such as exposed cement. Furthermore, one of the most important features of the Congress that Niemeyer wanted to emphasize was the autonomy of each of the buildings, but harmony between them – which also alludes to the functioning of the three powers in Brazil.