Niteroi Contemporary Art Museum
The Niteroi Contemporary Art Museum (MAC), is located in Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was designed by the Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, who worked with structural engineer Bruno Contarini. Since completion in 1996 it has become one of Rio de Janeiro’s best known landmarks.
The flying saucer-shaped modernist structure, which Niemeyer described as a ‘flower growing from the rocks’, is set on a cliff-side above a beach. Public access is via an elegant 98 m long swirling red-carpeted ramp.
The Museum is 16 m in height and consists of a three-level cupola, 50 m in diameter set on a 2.7 m diameter cylindrical base projecting over a 817 sq. m reflecting pool.
The hexagonal main hall provides 400 sq. m of column-free exhibition space. A circular viewing promenade with windows angled at 40-degrees, provides panoramic views of Sugar Loaf Mountain and the Guanabara bay.
The MAC helped to create a small-scale ‘Bilbao effect’, attracting tourists to this area of Niteroi for the first time. However, it also became embroiled in a political scandal because of a controversial land acquisition and sale deal.
In the introduction to the film ‘An architect committed to his century’, Niemeyer was depicted flying over Rio de Janeiro in a MAC UFO before landing on its cliff-side location. You can see a clip of the introduction here.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Ark Encounter, Kentucky.
- Brazilian Modernism lecture.
- Building of the week series.
- Cathedral of Brasilia.
- Dali Theatre and Museum.
- Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao.
- Kunsthaus Graz.
- Luxor Las Vegas.
- National Centre for the Performing Arts, Beijing.
- Robot Building, Bangkok.
- Sage Gateshead.
- Studio Bell, Calgary.
- Titanic Belfast.
- Unusual building design of the week.
Featured articles and news
Timber in Construction Roadmap
Ambitious plans from the Government to increase the use of timber in construction.
ECA digital series unveils road to net-zero.
Retrofit and Decarbonisation framework N9 launched
Aligned with LHCPG social value strategy and the Gold Standard.
Competence framework for sustainability
In the built environment launched by CIC and the Edge.
Institute of Roofing members welcomed into CIOB
IoR members transition to CIOB membership based on individual expertise and qualifications.
Join the Building Safety Linkedin group to stay up-to-date and join the debate.
Government responds to the final Grenfell Inquiry report
A with a brief summary with reactions to their response.
A brief description and background to this new February law.
Everything you need to know about building conservation and the historic environment.
NFCC publishes Industry White Paper on Remediation
Calling for a coordinated approach and cross-departmental Construction Skills Strategy to manage workforce development.
'who blames whom and for what, and there are three reasons for doing that: legal , cultural and moral"
How the Home Energy Model will be different from SAP
Comparing different building energy models.
Mapping approaches for standardisation.
UK Construction contract spending up at the start of 2025
New construction orders increase by 69 percent on December.
Preparing for the future: how specifiers can lead the way
As the construction industry prepares for the updated home and building efficiency standards.
Embodied Carbon in the Built Environment
A practical guide for built environment professionals.