ABSTRACT
This chapter analyzes the relationship established between modern Brazilian architecture and furniture design from two perspectives: the consolidation of Brasília as the federal capital, and the ambiguous idea of modern Brazil. What role did Brasília's individual palaces play in disseminating a vision of a country destined to modernity? What message did their interiors communicate before and after the coup? To answer these questions, the chapter focus on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the famous Itamaraty Palace that was designed to house administrative offices and to host international ceremonies and commendations. Inspired by the planning of the former Itamaraty Palace in Rio de Janeiro, the new building has a central reception area flanked by two wings, one containing offices for the general secretary, and the other housing the office of the minister of foreign affairs. The palace's internal spaces are connected on different levels, forming a spatial continuum.
