Oscar Niemeyer really inspired me. He's from South America, where nature has meaning. And his architecture was not expensive or high tech but artistic and spiritual. I like that.

The quote by Ma Yansong — "Oscar Niemeyer really inspired me. He's from South America, where nature has meaning. And his architecture was not expensive or high tech but artistic and spiritual. I like that." — pays tribute to one of the most influential modernist architects of the 20th century. Ma expresses admiration for Niemeyer’s philosophy, which emphasized form, emotion, and cultural resonance over technological complexity or luxury. Niemeyer’s work, rooted in the landscapes and rhythms of Brazil, inspired a sense of fluidity and poetic expression, qualities that deeply align with Ma’s own design values.

By highlighting that nature has meaning in South America, Ma is acknowledging the way Niemeyer’s architecture reflected the geography, climate, and spirit of his homeland. Rather than designing in isolation from the environment, Niemeyer often embraced curves, organic shapes, and open spaces that echoed the natural world. This approach resonates with Ma’s vision of creating architecture in harmony with nature, where buildings are not just structures, but extensions of the landscape and emotional responses to it.

Ma also draws attention to the artistic and spiritual dimensions of Niemeyer’s work, which stood apart from the high-tech, industrial style often associated with modernism. Niemeyer proved that architecture could be accessible, beautiful, and profound without being costly or overly mechanical. This deeply influenced Ma Yansong’s pursuit of design that prioritizes meaning and emotion over technological showmanship or rigid functionality.

The origin of this quote lies in Ma Yansong’s frequent reflections on his architectural influences, particularly those who viewed design as a form of cultural expression. In interviews and lectures, Ma has often cited Oscar Niemeyer as a figure who demonstrated that architecture could be sculptural, soulful, and intimately connected to place. This quote encapsulates Ma’s belief that the essence of architecture lies not in how advanced it is, but in how deeply it touches people and connects with the natural and spiritual world.