Itamaraty Palace
Oscar Niemeyer · Brasília, Brazil · 1970
The Itamaraty Palace combines a repeated external arcade with a more varied sequence of diplomatic interiors. Oscar Niemeyer designed the building for Brazil's foreign ministry, and it was inaugurated in 1970. Water and planting associated with Roberto Burle Marx give the palace a carefully staged setting within Brasília's governmental landscape. The formal rhythm of the façade contrasts with the internal circulation and gathering spaces. An authorized visit reveals how ceremonial movement, art and landscape contribute to the institution's architectural identity. Visiting: A working government palace. Public visits require advance arrangements and may be suspended for official functions.