Edificio Palacio Gustavo Capanema is a pioneering modernist building located in the heart of Rio De Janeiro. It is just a short stroll away from other interesting buildings around Centro, such as the Theatro Municipal, Fundaçao Biblioteca Nacional, and the Museu Nacional de Belas Artes. As Walter said in his review, it is easily accessible by metro, and so I had no excuse not to check it out when I was in Rio in October 2022.

I visited the building on a rainy afternoon, which proved to be quite inconvenient as my visit coincided with the rush hour. Approaching the site from the Cinelandia metro station, I was greeted by a building that was fenced off by corrugated metal sheets, which were pretty much covered in graffiti. A signage installed at the northern side of the building says that it was still being renovated and “modernised”. While I was not expecting to see the interiors of each floor given the time of my visit, I was hoping to take a peek of the garden and get a full view of the stilt-like columns. I had to content myself with walking around the perimeter, which was helpful enough to appreciate the façade and the external structures of the building. Unfortunately, the only highlight I could share during my visit was the azulejos on the wall facing Avenida Graça Aranha (see photo). 

Though my visit was limited, I don’t expect this site to be inscribed soon given that Brazil’s celebrated modernist architects and landscapers have already been recognised through the inscription of Brasilia, Pampulha, and Sitio Roberto Burle Marx. Besides, its UNESCO WHS webpage does not talk much about its OUV. It'd be interesting to see if the State Party decides to make a case for it and put together a nomination dossier.