When Brazil Was Modern

Brazilian architecture was one of the most revolutionary of the 20th century, influencing generations of architects worldwide. Yet there was a time when choosing an architectural style also meant choosing a vision for the country, as seen in the dispute that began in the 1930s with the construction of the Ministry of Education and Health building in Rio and reached its peak with the inauguration of Brasília in 1960. In concrete forms, modern architecture reflects a century of struggles for political power in Brazil.