Cathedral of Brasilia
The Cathedral of Brasilia is a Roman Catholic cathedral which serves as the seat of the Archdiocese of Brasilia. It is one of many public buildings in the Brazilian capital which were designed by the architect Oscar Niemeyer. Niemeyer’s intention was to create a volume that has the same ‘purity’ from any perspective.
The cathedral is a hyperbolic structure built from concrete. It measures 40 m in height and is capable of holding up to 4,000 people. The base is circular and measures around 60 m in diameter.
The structure, with its glass ceiling, is supported by 16 curved steel columns which weigh 90 tonnes each. The large stained glass windows are shaped into triangles that fit together between the columns. The windows measure 30 m high and 10 m across at the base.
The cathedral’s bell tower houses four bells that were donated by Spain. Inside the nave, three sculptures of angels are suspended by steel cables. These range in size from 2.22-4.25 m in length and weigh 100-300 kg each.
The foundation stone was laid in 1958 and the building was completed in May 1970. Since then, it has become a popular tourist attraction and an iconic symbol of Brasilia.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Brazilian Modernism lecture.
- Cathedral.
- Durham Cathedral's Open Treasure project.
- Floors of the great medieval churches.
- Florence Cathedral.
- Heddal stave church, Norway.
- Lotus temple.
- Maracana Stadium.
- National Library of Latvia.
- Niteroi Contemporary Art Museum.
- Notre Dame du Haut.
- Sagrada Familia.
- St. Basil’s Cathedral.
- St. Paul’s Cathedral.
- St. Peter’s Basilica.
- Unusual building design of the week.
Featured articles and news
HBPT and BEAMS Jubilees. Book review.
Does the first Labour budget deliver for the built environment?
What does the UK Budget mean for electrical contractors?
Mixed response as business pays, are there silver linings?
A brownfield housing boost for Liverpool
A 56 million investment from Homes England now approved.
Fostering a future-ready workforce through collaboration
Collaborative Futures: Competence, Capability and Capacity, published and available for download.
Considerate Constructors Scheme acquires Building A Safer Future
Acquisition defines a new era for safety in construction.
AT Awards evening 2024; the winners and finalists
Recognising professionals with outstanding achievements.
Reactions to the Autumn Budget announcement
And key elements of the quoted budget to rebuild Britain.
Chancellor of the Exchequer delivers Budget
Repairing, fixing, rebuilding, protecting and strengthening.
Expectation management in building design
Interest, management, occupant satisfaction and the performance gap.
Connecting conservation research and practice with IHBC
State of the art heritage research & practice and guidance.
Innovative Silica Safety Toolkit
Receives funding boost in memory of construction visionary.
Gentle density and the current context of planning changes
How should designers deliver it now as it appears in NPPF.
Sustainable Futures. Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living
More speakers confirmed for BSRIA Briefing 2024.
Making the most of urban land: Brownfield Passports
Policy paper in brief with industry responses welcomed.
The boundaries and networks of the Magonsæte.