Maria Elisa Costa, Brasília architect, dies at 91

Architect Maria Elisa Costa has passed away at the age of 91. The daughter of Lúcio Costa, the creator of Brasília’s Plano Piloto, was a prominent figure in the preservation of the capital's architectural identity.

Governor of the Distrito Federal, Celina Leão, has decreed three days of official mourning in honor of Costa, describing her as an “icon and symbol of Brasília.” Costa played a significant role in defending the city’s status as a World Heritage site.

Her professional career included working with the urbanism division of Novacap and the office of Bernard-Henri Zehrfuss in Paris. She also served as the president of the National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage (IPHAN) between 2003 and 2004, and held various advisory roles regarding Brasília's preservation and urban planning.