Superquadra.

Superquadra. Photographs by Erik van der Weijde. ROMA, 2010. 176 pp., black & white photographs throughout, 6¼x8½".

'Superquadra', a book of photographs by Erik van der Weijde, documents the buildings and the architectural rhythm of the residential blocks (the Superquadras) lining a 12km long expressway.

The lines, shapes, and flow, and the quality of the photographs are just magical I think. I also really like the quiet understatedness of this work.


The book and photographic work in it is described as:

"Brasilia is best known for the grandeur of its Monumental Axis. It connects two wings with the so-called Residential Axis. This is a twelve kilometer expressway lined with large residential blocks, which are named Superquadras.

All Superquadras have a distinct configuration, with an average of eleven residential buildings raised on pilotis, large greenbelts and regular rows of trees alongside the entire periphery of the Superquadras.

For all buildings, referred to as slabs, a height limit of six floors was set. Between one Superquadra and the next there is an Entrequadra. These are reserved for recreational areas.

This book documents many of these buildings and shows its specific architectural rhythm."