The Architect
Though the design of the United Nations complex
was officially a collaborative effort by a multinational
team of architects led by Wallace K. Harrison, it is
generally accepted that the elegant architecture was
the result of the vision of one man: Oscar Niemeyer.
Oscar Ribeiro de Almeida Niemeyer Soares Filho was
born in the city of Rio de Janeiro on December 15,
1907. He graduated with a BA in architecture from the
city’s National School of Fine Arts in 1934 and began
working without payment in a local architecture studio.
In 1936, Niemeyer met Le Corbusier, who became
a strong influence and teacher. By 1939, Niemeyer
was leading a team that had been given the task of
creating the first state-sponsored modernist skyscraper.
Niemeyer’s worldwide recognition was further confirmed
in 1947 when the then 40 year-old architect was invited
to be a part of the team working on the design of the
United Nations headquarters. By the middle of the
1950s, Niemeyer was involved in one of his largest and
most complicated assignments: the design of the new
Brazilian capital city, Brasilia. Niemeyer would use this
project to test new concepts of city planning.
Regarded as one of Modernism’s greatest luminaries,
Niemeyer was famous for his use of abstract forms and
curves. His buildings are characterized by an elegance
and harmony, often made possible by his pioneering
work with reinforced concrete.
© gettyimages
(1907 - 2012)
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