History of the Brasilia National Library
Explore the studies and projects behind the historic building that houses the Leonel Brizola Library.
Fotografia do Edifício da Biblioteca Nacional de Brasília (2012) by Augusto ArealBiblioteca Nacional de Brasília
The project
The Brasilia National Library is part of the Cultural Complex of the Republic on the city's Esplanada dos Ministérios (Ministries Esplanade).
It was included as part of Lúcio Costa's original plan for Brasilia in the late 1950s when the urban planner was designing the Federal Capital with Oscar Niemeyer and other architects.
These 1980s drawings were probably the first ones that Oscar Niemeyer did for the Brasilia National Library (sketches above).
Croqui 2 de Oscar Niemeyer da Biblioteca e do Arquivo Nacional (1980) by Oscar NiemeyerBiblioteca Nacional de Brasília
Over time, several project proposals were put forward for the Library. This sketch, and the next one, are examples of these proposals.
An interesting fact about the final version of the project is that, according to Cecilia's research, … the Library's original flooring was inspired by the arches at the Museu do Mar (Sea Museum), which Oscar Niemeyer designed in 1974.
Maquetes da Biblioteca Nacional de Brasília e do Museu NacionalBiblioteca Nacional de Brasília
Scale models
Scale models were built before the final plan was unveiled.
Imagem em 3D da fachada da Biblioteca Nacional de BrasíliaBiblioteca Nacional de Brasília
Planta BNB - EP 6/1 (1969) by Oscar NiemeyerBiblioteca Nacional de Brasília
Building the Library
Strangely, just as various proposals for the library were drawn up, various versions of the blueprints were also produced.
Planta BNB - EP 3/1 (1969) by Oscar NiemeyerBiblioteca Nacional de Brasília
The Federal District Public Archives hold some of these early blueprints.
Área de construção da Biblioteca Nacional de Brasília (2003)Biblioteca Nacional de Brasília
Starting the Building Works
A long delay of over 40 years followed the first edict to build the Brasilia National Library and it required an initiative by the Federal District Government to kick-start the construction works.
Vista superior do canteiro de obras da Biblioteca Nacional de Brasília (2003)Biblioteca Nacional de Brasília
Canteiro de obras de construção do Museu Nacional e da Biblioteca Nacional (2005) by CavalcantiBiblioteca Nacional de Brasília
Trator nas obras da Biblioteca Nacional de BrasíliaBiblioteca Nacional de Brasília
Face Oeste da Biblioteca Nacional de Brasília em construçãoBiblioteca Nacional de Brasília
Construção na área externa do térrio da BibliotecaBiblioteca Nacional de Brasília
Face oeste da Biblioteca Nacional de Brasília durante a construção em 2005 (2005) by CavalcantiBiblioteca Nacional de Brasília
Inauguração da Biblioteca (2008)Biblioteca Nacional de Brasília
Official opening
Finally, on December 12, 2008, the Leonel de Moura Brizola National Library in Brasilia was officially opened to the public.
Fotografia do Complexo Cultural da República João Herculino (2020) by Marca BrasíliaBiblioteca Nacional de Brasília
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