Origins & Early Life

Lúcio Marçal Ferreira Ribeiro Lima Costa ( KOST-ə, Brazilian Portuguese: [ˈlusi.u ˈkɔstɐ]; 27 February 1902 – 13 June 1998) was a Brazilian architect and urban planner, best known for his plan for Brasília. Costa was born in Toulon, France, the son of Brazilian parents. His father Joaquim Ribeiro da Costa, from Salvador, was a naval engineer, and his mother Alina Ferreira da Costa, was from Manaus. He was educated at the Royal Grammar School, Newcastle upon Tyne, England, and at the Collège National in Montreux, Switzerland, until 1916, he graduated as an architect in 1924 from the National School of Fine Arts in Rio de Janeiro.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

After some early works in the eclectic manner, he adopted Modernism in 1929. In 1930, Costa became the Director of the National School of Fine Arts, where he had studied. He was tasked with reforming the schools teaching system and he wanted to implement his new architectural style. Even though he found students eager to be taught in the "new style," his attempts at reforming the school, while introducing the Modernist Brazilian style, made him an enemy of traditionalists in the academic field around him. He then had to withdraw...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abe Saperstein — Contemporary (Born in 1902) (1902): Founder of the Harlem Globetrotters, revolutionized black basketball.
• Alfred Kastler — Contemporary (Born in 1902) (1902): Pioneering physicist known for developing the technique of optical pumping.
• Allen Lane — Contemporary (Born in 1902) (1902): Pioneering British publisher who founded Penguin Books, bringing literature to the masses.
• Aitana Bonmatí — Contemporary (Born in 1998) (1998): Star Spanish midfielder known for her decorated career with Barcelona and the Spain national team.
• Akira Kurosawa — Contemporary (Died in 1998) (1998): Master of Japanese cinema, known for dynamic style and epic storytelling.
• Alan J. Pakula — Contemporary (Died in 1998) (1998): American film director, writer, and producer known for political thrillers.
• Alan Guth — Shared historical date (02-27 · Born) (1947): Pioneering cosmologist known for developing the theory of cosmic inflation.
• Arthur M. Schlesinger Sr. — Shared historical date (02-27 · Born) (1888): Pioneering American historian known for social and urban history.
• Adolphe Pégoud — Shared historical date (06-13 · Born) (1889): Pioneering French aviator and the first recorded fighter ace of World War I.
• Ali Sayad Shirazi — Shared historical date (06-13 · Born) (1944): Key Iranian military commander during the Iran-Iraq War, assassinated in 1999.
• 1902 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1902
• February 27 (02-27) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on February 27
• 1998 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1998
• June 13 (06-13) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on June 13