Die Seminararbeit befasst sich mit der Entstehung der brasilianischen Haupstadt Brasília. Es wird die konzeptuele Phase beleuchten, ebenso wie die tatsächliche Erbauung der Stadt und der künstlerische und ideologische Rahmen in welchem das Bild der Stadt bedacht wurde. Hier werden vorallem die unterschiedlichen Ansätze beleutet mit dennen Kubitschek zum einem und Costa und Niemeyer zum anderen an das Project heran getreten sind. Abschließend wird ein Vergleich gezogen zwischen den Begriffen "Modernity" und "Modernism" und in den Konzept "Brasília" interpretiert.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The political vision – Juscelino Kubitschek
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Kubitschek’s determination
2.3 “50 anos en 5”
2.4 The old capital – Rio de Janeiro
2.5 Kubitschek’s Legacy
3. The urban planning – Lucio Costa
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Le Corbusier
3.3 Athens in Brazil
3.4 “A Superquadra” – Costa’s urban vision
4. Designing a capital – Oscar Niemeyer’s aesthetics
4.1 Introduction
4.2 International Style
5. Modernism and Modernization
5.1 Brasília as epitome of a new Brazilian society
5.2 Plan and Reality
6. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the rapid construction of Brasília as the new capital of Brazil, analyzing the conflicting political, urban, and aesthetic visions of its three primary architects and figures: Juscelino Kubitschek, Lucio Costa, and Oscar Niemeyer.
- Political motivations behind the relocation of the Brazilian capital.
- The influence of CIAM and Le Corbusier on urban planning concepts.
- The architectural symbolism and aesthetic goals of Oscar Niemeyer.
- The sociological implications of the "Plano Piloto" and "superquadras."
- The historical tension between modernism as a design philosophy and modernization as economic development.
Excerpt from the Book
3.3 Athens in Brazil
The new capital was designed for an overall population of 600.000 inhabitants. It showed great resemblance to an aeroplane, thus the term “Plano Piloto” was coined for it. The “Plano Piloto” consists of two basic geometric forms: lines (in the case of Brasília the so called “Eixo Monumental”) and an arc. These two components thus comprise the image of an aeroplane.
In the concept of the “Plano Piloto” some of the most fundamental aspects of the CIAM are included. These aspects are all named in the “Athens Charta”. Le Corbusier formed four basic principles that are: 1. well-ventilated residencies near green spaces; 2. the separation of residencies from workplaces, with industries excluded from the city completely; 3. exclusive spaces for cultural activities, near residencies; 4. the separation of the circulation of vehicles and pedestrians.
The first principle is expressed in the architectural approach, expressed in the “superquadras” and the uniform look of the residential areas. Costa implemented a six-story limit for all buildings in these areas and there were at most between 8 and 11 buildings per quadra. The need for “well-ventilated residencies” is expressed in the construction of the houses on pillars. In doing so, ground levels are created that are accessible to all residents of the house in question. At the same time, this also created space for accessibility on another level, permitting other residents to pass by, thus creating more space that is to share by everyone. Further, a strict limit was implemented on the amount of houses built in the wings and fusillage of the “Plano Piloto”. This was seen as crucial, as it would guarantee the existence of a “green belt” surrounding those areas.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Presents the scope of the study, focusing on the historical and political factors that led to the creation of Brasília within seven years.
2. The political vision – Juscelino Kubitschek: Analyzes the president's motivation to modernize Brazil and his determined "Target Programme" to construct the capital.
3. The urban planning – Lucio Costa: Discusses Costa’s ideological role, his relationship with Le Corbusier, and the implementation of the "Plano Piloto".
4. Designing a capital – Oscar Niemeyer’s aesthetics: Explores Niemeyer’s architectural style, his focus on geometric forms, and the visual symbolism of government buildings.
5. Modernism and Modernization: Juxtaposes the artistic ideology of modernism with the broader sociological goals of national development and assesses the city’s contemporary status.
6. Conclusion: Summarizes the disconnect between the utopian plans and the reality of the city, noting its enduring symbolic legacy and social challenges.
Keywords
Brasília, Modernism, Modernization, Juscelino Kubitschek, Lucio Costa, Oscar Niemeyer, Plano Piloto, Superquadra, Urban Planning, CIAM, Athens Charter, International Style, Brazilian Architecture, Urban Development, Utopia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper analyzes the creation and planning of Brasília as the capital of Brazil, inaugurated in 1960, and explores how it reflects the ideologies of its creators.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The study covers political vision, urban planning strategies, architectural aesthetics, and the broader social implications of implementing modernism in a developing nation.
What is the main research objective?
The goal is to determine how a new city was created from scratch in seven years and whether it fulfilled the social and political expectations of its founders.
Which scientific or analytical method is applied?
The author uses a historical-analytical approach, juxtaposing the "Plano Piloto" and original intentions with the current reality of the city using academic sources and architectural theory.
What does the main body focus on?
It focuses on the roles of Juscelino Kubitschek (political), Lucio Costa (urban planning), and Oscar Niemeyer (architecture), and evaluates the success of their collective "modernist" project.
Which keywords define this work?
Key terms include Brasília, Modernism, Urban Planning, Superquadra, and the specific socio-political context of Brazil in the 1950s and 60s.
How did Le Corbusier influence the city?
Le Corbusier’s CIAM principles, specifically those in the "Athens Charter," deeply influenced Lucio Costa’s design, particularly regarding the segregation of traffic and residential areas.
What is the paradox of the "superquadra" design?
While intended to promote an egalitarian, socialist-inspired society, the design faced failures in practice, leading to social stratification and the development of surrounding informal settlements.
- Quote paper
- Adrian Waschmann (Author), 2012, Brasília - an analogy of modernism, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/203653
