designbriefs
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Brazil

The largest experiment in mixing the world has run, still running.

6
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8:45
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52 min
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Graphic design 45Typography 58Branding 41Illustration 3Photography 3Editorial 13Industrial 84Furniture 57Architecture 131Interiors 22Urbanism 39Automotive 2Interface 10Interaction 10Motion 53D 3
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All briefs6
9:32

Cathedral of Brasília

Oscar Niemeyer · 1970

The Cathedral of Brasília is a hyperboloid concrete-framed structure designed by Oscar Niemeyer and engineered by Joaquim Cardozo, featuring subterranean massing, symbolic column geometry, passive thermal design via a reflecting pool, a fiberglass outer roof, and a large suspended stained-glass composition. It specifies construction methods, dimensional and material properties, spatial sequencing (tunnel entry), and symbolic intent tied directly to structural form.

8:55

Lúcio Costa

A jury chose Costa’s sketch over detailed rivals — not for precision, but for scalability.
9:13

Oscar Niemeyer

Niemeyer didn’t bend concrete—he bent architectural dogma, then left function behind.