This Day in History: Feliz Aniversario!

If you have ever met me, you probably figured out that I love Modern architecture.  If you know me well, then you probably know that I love Latin American Modern architecture in particular.  If you know me really well, then you have probably heard me talk about my admiration for the great Brazilian Modernist architect Oscar Niemeyer.  And if you know me really, really well, then you know that my little black dachshund, Oscar, is named, not after the famous hot dog brand, but after Mr. Niemeyer himself!

OK, so I admit that I am a little bit of a Latino-phile and Modernist wannabe, but with good reason:  today, Oscar Niemeyer turns 101 years old!  At a century-plus-one and still practicing, Niemeyer is the last living of the great Modern architects.  What an amazing life, what an amazing career, what an amazing legacy!

In school, I took every research paper opportunity possible to write about Niemeyer and his architecture, and at work last year, I applied for Pickard Chilton's first annual architectural travel award--my proposal to spend two weeks in Brazil researching Modern architecture was overwhelmed by Niemeyer buildings.  Somewhere in that proposal was also the glimmer of hope that I might be able to meet Mr. Niemeyer while in Brazil, which has been a long-time dream of mine.  (And somewhere even deeper, on the outside edge of possibility, would be having the opportunity to meet him when Kim and I travel to Brazil to complete the adoption of our two children!  You can read about this adventure on our adoption blog.)

I know someday I will have the opportunity to visit Brazil and to experience some of Mr. Niemeyer's buildings first-hand, but I also know that I have to be realistic that my dream of meeting him becomes less and less probable with each passing year.

So, in case I never get to meet you, Mr. Niemeyer, congratulations on your 101st birthday!  Congratulations on your long and exuberant life and a on your long and distinguished architectural career.  Thank you for your incredible and indispensable contribution to the legacy of Modern architecture in the world, and thank you for your consistent inspiration to me throughout my architectural studies and career.

Feliz Aniversario, Senhor Niemeyer!  Muitas felicitações!