Architectural Jewel - Iron Structure

More than in most Italian-style theaters, the iron architecture of Theatro José de Alencar served to satisfy the public's vanities, making it a spectacle.

For non-industrialized countries like Brazil, where all that had been achieved, in terms of progress, was the export-import trade with Europe, having an iron theater gave the illusion of having entered the portico of civilization.

Despite the iron structure being highlighted in the building, the architectural style of Theatro José de Alencar can be characterized by the eclectic style, very much in vogue at the time of its construction.

The merit of the project in the metallic structure of the audience, supported by cast iron columns, goes to the architects and engineers of the Scottish company Walter MacFarlane & Co. The company also ordered the entire iron and steel structure used in the construction.

During the last renovation and restoration of the theater, completed in 1991, the introduction of an air conditioning system imposed the placement of a glass curtain next to the facade and iron structure, using your transparency to avoid harming the style of the building.

Internally, the guardrails of the frieze, cabin and turret differ from each other, as if there had been an intention to characterize a certain hierarchy through the cast iron decoration of the elements.

The friezes have handrails with balusters, curved and continuous. The cabins have decorated and curved panels, as if to guarantee the individuality of each cabin. In the turret they have simple grids, without much plastic pretension.

The originality of the Theatro José de Alencar's architecture stems from the division into blocks, which is atypical in theaters. There are two buildings in different styles, separated by a patio that works as an open-air waiting environment, connected by side walkways.

Theatro José de Alencar works almost like a catalog of the company Walter MacFarlane & Co., with a varied set of pieces produced by the foundry itself, where we can observe columns, railings, stairs, all in metallic material.

Following the idea of ​​the glass curtain, other air intakes present in the theater also received the installation of sealing in the same material, in order to maintain the functioning of the space's cooling system.

Multicolored stained glass windows are able to reflect sunlight or spotlights. The stairs receive the reflections of the colors of the stained glass, bringing an air of magic to those who enter the building.

Walkway flanked by a worked railing and covered by galvanized iron sheets, connecting the foyer block and the concert hall.

The frontispiece of Theatro José de Alencar is formed by three arches covered by colored glass. At the height of the turret, the iron forms geometric designs. Higher up, on the pediments, the shape is fan-shaped. The final finish is in the shape of a crown.

Helical staircase that gives access to the foyer from the noble courtyard, the theater's internal space.

Helical staircase that gives access to the foyer from the noble courtyard, the theater's internal space.

It is possible to find, side by side, Corinthian capitals, naval-style stairs and Art Nouveau guardrails. A structure with a strong concept in its design, and which speak harmoniously together.

In all, nine types of grids were used in the building. In the image, we can see the stairs and entrance portals to the theater frieze floor.

In parts of the building, a delicate design is displayed, which recalls the linearity and freedom of composition of Art Nouveau, although it is still possible to observe a kind of classical rigidity, denounced by the presence of obsessive symmetry.