Form, structure and symbolism

A modern design for Brasilia’s National Presbyterian Church

Abstract

In 1964, a national project contest was organized for the Presbyterian National Church in the newly opened capital of Brazil, Brasilia. The winning project, carried out by the architects Ubirajara Motta Lima Ribeiro and Sergio A.B. Machado presents excellent architectural qualities, inventive composition and an intelligent rationalization of the constructive solution. If it had been built, it would undoubtedly be a masterpiece. The simplicity of the results is based on a limited range of constructive elements, which, however, could bring significant complexity to the architectural spaces, whose design adequately meets the symbolic load of a congregational and sacred space. This article intends to study this modern project a little more, digitally recovering its design and suggesting possible architectural and theoretical interpretations considering the different scales, from the urban condition to the details and tectonic aspects.