Brave New City

Jose Assenco

Brasilia Cathedral

Brasilia, Brazil
Oscar Niemeyer
1958

With the goal of stimulating the economy of Brazil's interior, the Brazilian government moved its capital from Rio de Janeiro to a totally newly constructed city, Brasilia, in 1960. The sleek, modernist concrete buildings were intended to reflect Brazil's identity as a forward-thinking nation. The streamlined forms of this cathedral — as well as its surrounding government and public buildings — helped to “define an emerging culture's aspirations,” says Marino.