Palácio da Alvorada – Brasília, Brazil

The Palácio da Alvorada (Palace of Dawn) is the official residence of the President of Brazil. The palace was designed, along with the rest of the city of Brasília, by Oscar Niemeyer and inaugurated in 1958. It is located at SHTN Asa Norte in Brasília. The name comes from the quote of Juscelino Kubitschek, “Brasília is a new dawn in the History of Brazil.”

Marisa Letícia, wife of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, directed the most extensive and historical restoration of the palace in its history. There are 72 employees currently working at the Palace, including secretaries, assistants, waiters, cooks, doctors and security personnel. The palace complex is protected by the Presidential Guard.

Architecture

One of the first structures built in the republic’s new capital city, the “Alvorada” lies on a peninsula at the margins of Lake Paranoá. The principles of simplicity and modernity, that in the past characterized the great works of architecture, oriented Niemeyer’s project. The viewer has an impression of looking at a glass box, softly landed on the ground with the support of thin external columns.

The building has an area of 7,000 m2 and three floors: basement, landing and second floor. On the basement level are located the auditorium, kitchen, laundry, medical center, and the administration. On the landing are located the rooms used by the presidency for official receptions. The second floor is the residential part of the palace, with four suites, two apartments and other private rooms.

The building also has a library, a heated Olympic-sized swimming pool, a music room, two dining rooms and various meeting rooms. Located in adjacent buildings are the chapel and the heliport.

Restoration

In 2004, the project took two years to complete at a cost of U$18.4 million. Research was conducted to restore the rooms and décor to their original styles. Furnitures and decoration objects were also restored. The electric and central air conditioning systems were replaced, and floor and ceiling work was done. Contrary to popular belief, the restoration was not paid by the government, but was part of an ongoing project of restoration of heritage sites under the direction of the IPHAN (Brazilian Institute for the Historic and Artistic Heritage) with funds donated by private corporations (for tax-deduction).

This restoration was necessary because electric and hydraulic structures had not aged well and because the general appearance of the palace had deteriorated.

Other Information

• Name: Palácio da Alvorada
• Town: Brasília
• Country: Brazil
• Architect: Oscar Niemeyer
• Construction start date: 3 April 1957

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