Rio de Janeiro, (EFE).- One of the last vestiges of the golden age of old Rio de Janeiro, the Docas de Santos company building, built 115 years ago, is undergoing an important and meticulous restoration process.
Considered an icon of architecture, its stone, masonry and marble façade stands out among the skyscrapers that are reflected in the landscape of the center of the most touristic city in Brazil.
Designed by the São Paulo engineer Ramos de Azevedo and built by the company Antonio Januzzi, Filho & Companhia, the Docas de Santos reflects a period of effervescence and development in the capital of Rio de Janeiro.
Inaugurated in 1908 to be the headquarters of the “Companhia Docas de Santos”, responsible for the administration of the Port of Santos, the building oozes luxury and refinement with Carrara marble floors, gigantic carefully carved wooden doors and themed interior halls. maritime.
Many of the materials used in its decoration came from Europe, a brand of the Guinles, a traditional and wealthy Rio de Janeiro family that owned the building and other architectural icons of the time, such as the Copacabana Palace hotel.
Throughout the last century, the building underwent several reforms and gradually lost its original characteristics.
The Institute of National Historical and Artistic Heritage (Iphan), which today occupies its dependencies, declared it a heritage site in
One of the most important and beautiful stages of the restoration is currently being carried out: the gilding of the friezes on the ceilings of the vestibule.
Adopting an ancient technique invented in ancient Egypt, some objects are wrapped in gold leaf to give them the appearance of solid gold.
In addition, the artistic and decorative paintings of the building, attributed to the artists Del Bosco and Benno Traidler, are also being restored.
Covered by layers of white paint since the sixties, the works of art came to light after stripping and chromatic reintegration.
Restoration of the imposing stone façade has now been completed, according to Catherine Gallois, an Iphan architect and stone specialist.
“The ocher tone of the building, darkened by soot for decades, was recovered. It was a very detailed and well documented project, scientifically based and in collaboration between Iphan and the Center for Mineral Technology (Cetem). It is a work of art that deteriorates quickly, so it needs continuous monitoring, ”he explained.
The completion of the entire construction process is scheduled for 2024, as it also includes the restoration of the integrated furniture, roofs, door and window frames, floors and walls, as well as reforms in the structural part of the building.