A Cathedral resembling a modern crown of thorns?
A dark underground entrance opening onto a sanctuary of light?
Brazilian Architect Oscar Niemeyer designed this modernistic cathedral along with most of the civic buildings in Brasilia, the nation's planned capital city, and the UN building in NY City.
The open, free standing confessionals and the egg shape above the crucifix speak to the emergence of a uniquely Brazilian Church from the heavy traditions of the architecture of the Portuguese colonial past.
The Chalice shaped bell tower is both striking against the office buildings of the past and evocative of a modernist Catholicism. Neimeyer's symbolic use of reinforced concrete is a centerpiece of other civic buildings. Including the National Congress building with domes representing the two houses and the rectangular "bull ring" where legislation is ultimately passed.
Global Education Competency: Recognize Perspectives
Examine images of Brasilia's architecture and read about Oscar Niemeyer's viewpoints. Discuss the attitudes conveyed by his designs.
Examine images of DC's civic buildings and compare the differences and similarities in attitude and style.
Consider elements of global citizenship and design a building that might be used in a capital city of Planet Earth
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