Niteroi Contemporary Art Museum
The Niteroi Contemporary Art Museum (MAC), is located in Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was designed by the Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, who worked with structural engineer Bruno Contarini. Since completion in 1996 it has become one of Rio de Janeiro’s best known landmarks.
The flying saucer-shaped modernist structure, which Niemeyer described as a ‘flower growing from the rocks’, is set on a cliff-side above a beach. Public access is via an elegant 98 m long swirling red-carpeted ramp.
The Museum is 16 m in height and consists of a three-level cupola, 50 m in diameter set on a 2.7 m diameter cylindrical base projecting over a 817 sq. m reflecting pool.
The hexagonal main hall provides 400 sq. m of column-free exhibition space. A circular viewing promenade with windows angled at 40-degrees, provides panoramic views of Sugar Loaf Mountain and the Guanabara bay.
The MAC helped to create a small-scale ‘Bilbao effect’, attracting tourists to this area of Niteroi for the first time. However, it also became embroiled in a political scandal because of a controversial land acquisition and sale deal.
In the introduction to the film ‘An architect committed to his century’, Niemeyer was depicted flying over Rio de Janeiro in a MAC UFO before landing on its cliff-side location. You can see a clip of the introduction here.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Ark Encounter, Kentucky.
- Brazilian Modernism lecture.
- Building of the week series.
- Cathedral of Brasilia.
- Dali Theatre and Museum.
- Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao.
- Kunsthaus Graz.
- Luxor Las Vegas.
- National Centre for the Performing Arts, Beijing.
- Robot Building, Bangkok.
- Sage Gateshead.
- Studio Bell, Calgary.
- Titanic Belfast.
- Unusual building design of the week.
Featured articles and news
ECA, JIB and JTL back Fabian Society call to invest in skills for a stronger built environment workforce.
Women's Contributions to the Built Environment.
Calls for the delayed Circular Economy Strategy
Over 50 leading businesses, trade associations and professional bodies, including CIAT, and UKGBC sign open letter.
The future workforce: culture change and skill
Under the spotlight at UK Construction Week London.
A landmark moment for postmodern heritage.
A safe energy transition – ECA launches a new Charter
Practical policy actions to speed up low carbon adoption while maintaining installation safety and competency.
Frank Duffy: Researcher and Practitioner
Reflections on achievements and relevance to the wider research and practice communities.
The 2026 Compliance Landscape: Fire doors
Why 'Business as Usual' is a Liability.
Cutting construction carbon footprint by caring for soil
Is construction neglecting one of the planet’s most powerful carbon stores and one of our greatest natural climate allies.
ARCHITECTURE: How's it progressing?
Archiblogger posing questions of a historical and contextual nature.
The roofscape of Hampstead Garden Suburb
Residents, architects and roofers need to understand detailing.
Homes, landlords. tenants and the new housing standards
What will it all mean?
The Architectural Technology podcast: Where it's AT
Catch-up on the latest episodes.
Edmundson Apprentice of the Year award 2026
Entries now open for this Electrical Contractors' Association award.
Traditional blue-grey slate from one of the oldest and largest UK slate quarries down in Cornwall.
There are plenty of sources with the potential to be redeveloped.
Change of use legislation breaths new life into buildings
A run down on Class MA of the General Permitted Development Order.
Solar generation in the historic environment
Success requires understanding each site in detail.