Happy birthday Oscar

Brasilian architect Oscar Niemeyer turns 101 on 15th December 2008. Oscar Niemeyer was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on the 15th December 1907. Oscar Niemeyer graduated from the Escola Nacional de Belas Artes in Rio de Janeiro in 1934. The oldest living architect, Niemeyer is well known for his modernist concrete architecture and his involvement in the design of Brasilia, the new capital of Brazil. Niemeyer won the Pritzker Prize in 1988 and has continued his involvement in architecture passed his 100th birthday last year.

One of Niemeyer’s first works following graduation from university was the Ministry of Health and Education in Rio de Janeiro on which he collaborated with Le Corbusier until 1938. Further notable works include the Pampulha architectural complex including a casino, restaurant and the Temple of St. Francis of Assisi, in Belo Horizonte and the Caracas Museum in Venezuela.