Bartlett Research Conversations: Patricia Rodrigues Ferreira Da Silva

After the Future: Architecture and the Military Regime in Brazil, 1964-85

Speaker: Patricia Rodrigues Ferreira Da Silva
Supervisors: Prof. Murray Fraser and Dr. Eva Branscome
Guest panellist: Prof Camillo Boano from Development Planning Unit, UCL  

Abstract

From the early-1930s, Brazilian modern architecture was closely tied to political projects for rapid industrialization and urban development, helping to create Brazil’s image as the “Land of the Future”. However, after a crescendo in 1960 with the opening of the new capital Brasilia, the coup d’état in 1964 inaugurated an oppressive military regime which transformed official architecture. This thesis examines what happened to Brazilian architecture during the dictatorship, with rival visions either supporting the regime’s intentions or offering new forms of resistance. As such, the study broadens our understanding of the relationship between design and politics.

About The Bartlett Research Conversations

The Bartlett School of Architecture’s Research Conversations seminars comprise work-in-progress and upgrade presentations by students undertaking the Architectural Design MPhil/PhD and Architectural and Urban History and Theory MPhil/PhD. All current UCL staff and students are welcome to attend.

Held regularly throughout the academic year, the seminars are attended by the Programme Directors, Professor Sophia Psarra, Dr Nina Vollenbröker and Professor Nat Chard; PhD Coordinators, Dr Stamatis Zografos and Dr Stelios Giamarelos; and other PhD supervisors.

Image: War tanks in Brasilia, 1964. Courtesy of the Public Archives of the Federal District, Brazil (public domain)