Architect Oscar Niemeyer dies at age 104 in Rio

12/05/2012 - 23h42

Oscar Niemeyer, the principal name in architecture in Brazil, died at about 10 PM this Wednesday (Dec. 5), at 104 years old, in Rio. Niemeyer was lucid until this morning, when there was a worsening of his respiratory infection and he had to be sedated and intubated.

The Rio architect, who would have been 105 years old on December 15, was admitted to Samaritano hospital in Botafogo, in the south of Rio, on November 2, in order to treat dehydration. Later, he presented gastrointestinal bleeding and worsening renal function. On Tuesday (Dec. 4), a respiratory infection led to a decline in Niemeyer's clinical condition. Early on Wednesday, the architect suffered a cardiac arrest.

Niemeyer graduated in architecture and engineering from the National School of Fine Arts in 1934.

In 1945, the architect joined the Brazilian Communist Party (PCB), coming into contact with Luiz Carlos Prestes and other politicians. Over the decades, he built friendships with many socialist leaders around the world, constantly traveling to the Soviet Union and Cuba.

Gallery

	Tuca Vieira - 8.dez.04/Folhapress
	Architect Oscar Niemeyer

In 1947, Niemeyer was part of the committee of architects who defined the design of the headquarters of the United Nations (UN) in New York.

During the 50's, he designed works such as the Copan building and Ibirapuera Park, both in São Paulo, besides running the Department of Architecture and Urbanism of Novacap, responsible for the construction of Brasilia.

Along with Lúcio Costa, he helped to shape the new capital, designing buildings like the Alvorada Palace and the National Congress.

Inaugurated in April 1960, Brasilia transformed the natural landscape of central Brazil into one of the landmarks of modern architecture.

Prevented from working in Brazil by the military dictatorship, Niemeyer moved to Paris in 1966, where he opened an architectural office. He designed the headquarters of the French Communist Party, did the Le Havre Cultural Center, currently Le Volcan, and accomplished works in Algeria, Italy and Portugal.

After the amnesty, he returned to Brazil in the early 1980's.

In the 1990's and 2000's, Niemeyer's output continued at a high rate, with the inauguration of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Niterói (RJ), the Oscar Niemeyer Museum in Curitiba, and Ibirapuera Auditorium, inside the park in São Paulo.

In 2007, he designed the Avilés Cultural Center, his first work in Spain. Currently, in Santos, the Niemeyer project for the Pelé museum is ongoing.

Besides Vera, whom he married in 2006, Niemeyer leaves four great-great-grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and four grandchildren, children of Anna Maria, his only daughter - who died in June this year at 82 - from his marriage to Anita Baldo, who died in 2004.

Translated by DAVE WOLIN