The architecture of Brazil is influenced by Europe, especially Portugal. It has a history that goes back 500 years to the time when Pedro Cabral discovered Brazil in 1500. Portuguese colonial architecture was the first wave of architecture to go to Brazil.
In the 18th century, during the time of the Empire, Brazil followed European trends and adopted Neoclassical, Baroque, and Gothic Revival architecture. Then, in the 20th century especially in Brasilia, Brazil experimented with Modernist architecture. The modernist approach was named as minimalism without the need for excessive frills or decoration. Instead, the architecture became more simplistic, with clean lines and a functional form. This style became more popular around the end of World War II, when function was more important than form. During this time, Oscar Niemeyer, who became and remains one of the world's greatest modernists, began to present a style that was to become Brazil's very own style.
Indigenous architecture
The diverse groups of Indigenous Brazilians developed architectural styles that varied by region and available materials. An important style of dwelling is the so-called oca. A wooden structure covered with straw or palm leaves, that was for collective use and had no internal divisions. Several ocas could be organized around a circular plaza. They could reach up to 30 m in length and 10 m in height.
Another example is the Maloca, a type of large, communal cabin used by some indigenous people in the Amazon regions of northern Brazil and southern Colombia.
This vernacular architecture is still common among contemporary indigenous peoples in northern Brazil. Historically this type of architecture did not have widespread use among non-indigenous Brazilians. Recently, however, these architectural models, reinterpreted with current techniques and materials, have received attention from some architects as an ecological alternative to address modern housing problem.
Portuguese colonial architecture in the 16th century
The colonial architecture of Brazil dates to the early 16th century when Brazil was first explored, created and settled by the Portuguese, who created an architecture familiar to them in Europe. They built sacred and secular buildings, including houses and forts in Brazilian cities and the countryside. They founded Recife, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador in the colonial period; these cities saw the best expression of Brazilian architecture.
Buildings of this period were distinct because they followed similar rules such as: symmetry box-like structure alcoves and recessed windows constructed from stone and mortar covered with plaster for a smooth finish
The best examples are in the city of Salvador, with its multi-colored colonial buildings that outline the streets and depict Salvador's history.
Salvador
Founded in the 1500s, Salvador is one of the oldest cities in Brazil and home to impressive colonial and baroque styles. The city became Brazil's first capital until 1763 and home to spectacular colonial and baroque styles. After defeating the Dutch in the 17th century, Portuguese settlers built and refurbished several forts along the Bay including São Marcelo Fort. The port stands perfectly round on a small reef bank about 1000 feet off the coast. A Brazilian writer, Jorge Amado, explained it as the “Belly button of Bahia”.
One of the most well-known pieces of architecture in Salvador is the Lacerda Elevator. Built around 1872, this structure linked both upper and lower cities with four elevators, with air conditioning and offering views of the bay. Furthermore, the city has numerous buildings with meaningful cultural and historical significance.
18th-19th century Brazilian architecture
Between the 18th and 19th Century Brazilian architecture is a period that saw the introduction of more European styles to Brazil such as Neoclassical and Baroque architecture. This was usually mixed with Brazilian influences from their own heritage which produced a unique form of Brazilian architecture.