Legendary Brazilian Architect Niemeyer Dies At 104
In this Dec. 12, 2007 file photo, Brazilian star architect Oscar Niemeyer attends his 100th birthday celebration, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
World-renowned Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, who designed much of Brazil's modern capital, died Wednesday at the age of 104.
Niemeyer is most famous for his use of abstract forms and curves, abandoning traditional straight lines. He was among the first to explore the possibilities of reinforced concrete to convey his creative vision.
The Brazilian architect established himself during the middle of the 20th century as one of modernism's greatest visionaries. He designed hundreds of objects around the world, including work on the United Nations headquarters in New York City.
On that and other early projects, Niemeyer teamed up with another pioneer of post-war buildings in concrete, the French-Swiss architect Charles-Edouard Jeanneret-Gris, better known by his pseudonym of Le Corbusier.
In 1956, Niemeyer was appointed chief architect for Brazil's futuristic capital, Brasilia, a new city in the heart of the Amazon jungle. That achievement brought him worldwide fame.
He won architecture's top award, the Pritzker Prize, in 1988.
Niemeyer would have turned 105 on December 15.
The Work of Legendary Brazilian Architect Oscar Niemeyer
1/14A man walks near the National Congress building, designed by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, in the Ministries Esplanade in Brasilia, December 6, 2012.
Oscar Niemeyer, a towering patriarch of modern architecture who shaped the look of modern Brazil and whose inventive, curved designs left their mark on cities worldwide, died late on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. He was 104.
2/14A view of the Oscar Niemeyer Museum in Curitiba, Brazil, December 6, 2012.
Oscar Niemeyer, a towering patriarch of modern architecture who shaped the look of modern Brazil and whose inventive, curved designs left their mark on cities worldwide, died late on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. He was 104.
3/14Members of the "Yo apoyo al Centro Cultural Internacional Oscar Niemeyer" (I support the Oscar Niemeyer International Cultural Center) association gather to pay tribute to architect Oscar Niemeyer in Aviles, Spain, December 6, 2012.
Oscar Niemeyer, a towering patriarch of modern architecture who shaped the look of modern Brazil and whose inventive, curved designs left their mark on cities worldwide, died late on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. He was 104.
4/14A view of the footbridge designed by renowned Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer in the Rocinha slum in Rio de Janeiro, December 6, 2012.
Oscar Niemeyer, a towering patriarch of modern architecture who shaped the look of modern Brazil and whose inventive, curved designs left their mark on cities worldwide, died late on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. He was 104.
5/14A view of the Contemporary Art Museum (MAC) designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer in Niteroi city near Rio de Janeiro, December 6, 2012.
Oscar Niemeyer, a towering patriarch of modern architecture who shaped the look of modern Brazil and whose inventive, curved designs left their mark on cities worldwide, died late on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. He was 104.
6/14A woman takes a picture of the Niemeyer Center, designed by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, in Aviles, Spain, December 6, 2012.
Oscar Niemeyer, a towering patriarch of modern architecture who shaped the look of modern Brazil and whose inventive, curved designs left their mark on cities worldwide, died late on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. He was 104.
7/14Indians stand in lines to cast their votes outside a polling booth in New Delhi, April 10, 2014.
Oscar Niemeyer, a towering patriarch of modern architecture who shaped the look of modern Brazil and whose inventive, curved designs left their mark on cities worldwide, died late on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. He was 104.
8/14A security walks next to the Planalto Palace designed by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer in Brasilia, December 5, 2012.
Oscar Niemeyer, a towering patriarch of modern architecture who shaped the look of modern Brazil and whose inventive, curved designs left their mark on cities worldwide, died late on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. He was 104.
9/14FILE - This April 17, 2007 file photo shows the government Esplanade of Ministries in Brasilia along the boulevard that features some of Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer's most famous works.
Oscar Niemeyer, a towering patriarch of modern architecture who shaped the look of modern Brazil and whose inventive, curved designs left their mark on cities worldwide, died late on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. He was 104.
10/14FILE - This Oct. 8, 2007 file photo, the Ibirapuera Auditorium designed by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer is seen in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Oscar Niemeyer, a towering patriarch of modern architecture who shaped the look of modern Brazil and whose inventive, curved designs left their mark on cities worldwide, died late on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. He was 104.
11/14FILE - This July 27, 2007 file photo shows the United Nations headquarters building, designed by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, in New York.
Oscar Niemeyer, a towering patriarch of modern architecture who shaped the look of modern Brazil and whose inventive, curved designs left their mark on cities worldwide, died late on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. He was 104.
12/14Dancers rappel from the Digital TV Tower as part of an aerial performance in Brasilia, Brazil, Friday, Aug. 31, 2012. The tower, also known as the Flor do Cerrado, was designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer.
Oscar Niemeyer, a towering patriarch of modern architecture who shaped the look of modern Brazil and whose inventive, curved designs left their mark on cities worldwide, died late on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. He was 104.
13/14This Oct. 22, 2012 photo shows the headquarters of French Communist Party, designed by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, in Paris.
Oscar Niemeyer, a towering patriarch of modern architecture who shaped the look of modern Brazil and whose inventive, curved designs left their mark on cities worldwide, died late on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. He was 104.
14/14FILE - This Aug 14, 2007 file photo, shows a view of the Brazil's National Congress, designed by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer and inaugurated in 1960, in Brasilia.
Oscar Niemeyer, a towering patriarch of modern architecture who shaped the look of modern Brazil and whose inventive, curved designs left their mark on cities worldwide, died late on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. He was 104.
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