Master Architect Oscar Niemeyer Dies

Brazil's legendary artist, who spanned the 20th century's major architectural movements with a timeless style that infused the geography and culture of his native country with European modernism died Wednesday at the age of 104.

1 minute read

December 6, 2012, 5:00 AM PST

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


Supremo Tribunal Federal

Drew Edward Davies / Flickr

"[O]ne of the 20th century's most important architects," Niemeyer designed such seminal buildings as the United Nations building in New York and several masterpieces for Brazil's "futuristic" new capital of Brasília. "Mr. Niemeyer often said his greatest inspiration was the undulating landscape of his birthplace, Rio de Janeiro. He used reinforced concrete to trace lines he saw in Rio's sloping hills and its scalloped beaches," notes John Lyons.

"I am attracted to free-flowing sensual curves," he wrote in his memoir, 'The Curves of Time.' "The curves that I find in the mountains of my country, the sinuousness of its rivers, in the waves of the ocean and on the body of the beloved woman."

Niemeyer's biggest impact on modern architecture may have been in reserving a seat at the table for voices from the developing world. "Normally all architectural critique is viewed from the West. However, Niemeyer's work obliges us to reverse this flow and understand Brazil as a new global cultural center," said Alfredo Brillembourg, an architect and Columbia University professor.

Archinect has compiled images of some of the architect's best known works.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012 in The Wall Street Journal

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business

Large spinning swing ride at Chicago's Navy Pier.

The Subversive Car-Free Guide to Trump's Great American Road Trip

Car-free ways to access Chicagoland’s best tourist attractions.

July 3 - Streetsblog Chicago

Aerial view of downtown San Antonio, Texas at night with rotating Tower of the Americas in foreground.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion

The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

July 3 - Governing