Oscar Niemeyer’s designs for Brasília, Brazil’s futuristic capital, embody his belief that architecture should be bold, fluid, and artistic. Commissioned in the late 1950s, Niemeyer worked alongside urban planner Lúcio Costa to create a city that symbolized Brazil’s progress and modernity.

Niemeyer believed architecture should serve the people and inspire imagination, which I feel is exactly what his Brasilia designs achieve.

I wanted to explore his modernist monuments and photograph them next to human subjects when possible to show massive scale. I wanted a clear blue sky to contrast the architecture so was pleased to have the right conditions. I also found inspiration observing the way light and shadow worked its way across the monuments so wanted to highlight that.

Below are a few of my favorite photographs from my time in Brasilia.

Camera dos Deputados Anexo IV by Oscar Niemeyer, Brasilia, Brazil

Memorial JK by Oscar Niemeyer, Brasilia, Brazil

Palacio do Planalto by Oscar Niemeyer, Brasilia, Brazil

Cine Brasilia by Oscar Niemeyer, mural by Athos Bulcão, Brasilia, Brazil

Panteão da Patria e da Liberdade by Oscar Niemeyer, Brasilia, Brazil

Teatro Nacional Claudio Santoro by Oscar Niemeyer, Brasilia, Brazil

Congresso Nacional by Oscar Niemeyer, Brasilia, Brazil

Biblioteca Nacional de Brasilia by Oscar Niemeyer, Brasilia, Brazil

Museu Nacional da Republica by Oscar Niemeyer, Brasilia, Brazil

Supremo Tribunal Federal by Oscar Niemeyer, Brasilia, Brazil

Concha Acústica by Oscar Niemeyer, Brasilia, Brazil

Teatro Pedro Calmon by Oscar Niemeyer, Brasilia, Brazil

Annexo do Ministerio da Saude, Brasilia, Brasil

Congresso Nacional, mural by Athos Bulcão, Brasilia, Brazil

Palácio da Justiça by Oscar Niemeyer, Brasilia, Brazil

Brasilia Palaca Hotel by Oscar Niemeyer, mural by Athos Bulcão, Brasilia, Brazil

Brasilia Palaca Hotel by Oscar Niemeyer, Brasilia, Brazil

Brasilia Palaca Hotel by Oscar Niemeyer, tile mural by Athos Bulcão, Brasilia, Brazil

I recently spent some time walking San Francisco’s hills and capturing some of the Art Deco facades I saw along the way. One of the best neighborhoods to witness Art Deco influences is Pacific Heights where I found residential buildings and movie theaters adorned with geometric patterns and ornamental details that capture the glamour of the 1920s and 30s. On a larger scale the Golden Gate Bridge and downtown skyscrapers also feature stunning Art Deco design work.

Seeking out and photographing these gems offered a glimpse into one of the most captivating design movements of the 20th century.