It was the drawing that led me to architecture, the search for light and astonishing forms. Oscar Niemeyer on architecture
I search for surprise in my architecture. A work of art should cause the emotion of newness. Oscar Niemeyer on architecture
It is not with architecture that one can disseminate any political ideology. Oscar Niemeyer on architecture
Architecture will always express the technical and social progress of the country in which it is carried out. If we wish to give it the human content that it lacks, we must participate in the political struggle. Oscar Niemeyer on architecture
Architecture is my work, and I've spent my whole life at a drawing board, but life is more important than architecture. What matters is to improve human beings. Oscar Niemeyer on architecture
Architecture is invention. Oscar Niemeyer on architecture
For me beauty is valued more than anything - the beauty that is manifest in a curved line or in an act of creativity. Oscar Niemeyer on beauty
My work is not about 'form follows function,' but 'form follows beauty' or, even better, 'form follows feminine.' Oscar Niemeyer on beauty
There is no reason to design buildings that are more basic and rectilinear, because with concrete you can cover almost any space. Oscar Niemeyer on design
Humanity needs dreams to be able to survive the miseries of daily existence, even if only for an instant. Oscar Niemeyer on dreams
Sometimes I lose a whole morning waiting on journalists and other people who look for me. But I always find some time for reading, talking to my friends and feeling what is happening in this world. Oscar Niemeyer on morning