Brasília"s National Library: Sun-Soaked Niemeyer
The National Library of Brasília is part of the Oscar Niemeyer-designed Cultural Complex of the Republic, which includes the National Museum. The complex is in the Esplanade of Ministries.
Though included in the city's original Pilot Plan by architect Lucio Costa, the library only had its construction kicked off in 2002, with the signature of a bid order in a ceremony attended by Niemeyer.
The boxy construction, which evokes the straightforward buildings of the Esplanade of Ministries and lacks even the subtle undulations of the French Communist Party Headquarters, one of the master's earliest projects, has a west-facing facade in glass and brise-soleil which poses challenges in the preservation of the collections, due to Brasília's often scorching abundance of sunlight.
By contrast, the adjoining National Museum passes up the contrast of darkness of light present in other works by the architect, such as the nearby Metropolitan Cathedral, to be primarily a dark, windowless dome.
The library's Espaço CLIC has high-speed internet and a reading lounge; the whole collection is available for online searches at www.bnb.df.gov.br/sophia.
Outside is a covered space with a tile mural by Portuguese artist Júlio Pomar. It's Praça da Língua Portuguesa, or the Portuguese Language Square, a largely empty space which can be used for performances and exhibitions.
Biblioteca Nacional de Brasília
Setor Cultural Sul, lote 2, Edifício da Biblioteca Nacional
Phone: 55-61-3325-6257 ext. 181
E-mail: diretoria@bnb.df.gov.br
www.bnb.df.gov.br
www.facebook.com/bibliotecanacional.debrasilia
Hours: Mon to Fri 8 a.m. to 7:45 p.m., Sat and Sun 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed on holidays.
Fully wheelchair-accessible. Four elevators with floor buttons in Braille.
Though included in the city's original Pilot Plan by architect Lucio Costa, the library only had its construction kicked off in 2002, with the signature of a bid order in a ceremony attended by Niemeyer.
The boxy construction, which evokes the straightforward buildings of the Esplanade of Ministries and lacks even the subtle undulations of the French Communist Party Headquarters, one of the master's earliest projects, has a west-facing facade in glass and brise-soleil which poses challenges in the preservation of the collections, due to Brasília's often scorching abundance of sunlight.
By contrast, the adjoining National Museum passes up the contrast of darkness of light present in other works by the architect, such as the nearby Metropolitan Cathedral, to be primarily a dark, windowless dome.
The library's Espaço CLIC has high-speed internet and a reading lounge; the whole collection is available for online searches at www.bnb.df.gov.br/sophia.
Outside is a covered space with a tile mural by Portuguese artist Júlio Pomar. It's Praça da Língua Portuguesa, or the Portuguese Language Square, a largely empty space which can be used for performances and exhibitions.
Biblioteca Nacional de Brasília
Setor Cultural Sul, lote 2, Edifício da Biblioteca Nacional
Phone: 55-61-3325-6257 ext. 181
E-mail: diretoria@bnb.df.gov.br
www.bnb.df.gov.br
www.facebook.com/bibliotecanacional.debrasilia
Hours: Mon to Fri 8 a.m. to 7:45 p.m., Sat and Sun 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed on holidays.
Fully wheelchair-accessible. Four elevators with floor buttons in Braille.
