Towards a list of Oscar Niemeyer projects and buildings: a compilation of his work before Brasília (1934 – 1957)

Abstract

Despite the visibility and relevance of the work of architect Oscar Niemeyer (1907 – 2012), there is still a lack of a comprehensive list of his projects and buildings. The previous attempts, incomplete and inconsistent, do not offer proper support to those who research such a vast body of work. This text substantiates the creation of a partial list, starting with his first known project from 1934 and ends with his involvement with the construction of Brasilia, in 1957. Due to a research carried via the digital archives of the Biblioteca Nacional, several unknown projects are presented and discussed, as are lesser known projects and buildings that have never been featured on the list of the Oscar Niemeyer Foundation. It was decided to also create an annex list to compile doubtful works, works with scarce documentation and known cases of little involvement of the architect. The result, though incomplete even within its chronological limits, gathers a large quantity of data, allowing for clearer quantitative and temporal analysis, as well as new perceptions regarding specific parts of his works, as is the case of the Centro Técnico de Aeronáutica (Aeronautics Training Center) and the property market of Rio de Janeiro.