Brasília and the Federal Court of Accounts (TCU): 60 years of meeting
Between stories, clues, and traces
A Brazil that was growing
Brasilia is important for its social and geopolitical context, for the development of the country’s interior, and for the integration of Brazil’s territory.The city is a reflection of modernism connecting with monumental architecture.
The fact is that between its curves, its exposed concrete, and its proportions, it is recognized for its features and its beauty. It was listed by the National Historic and Artistic Heritage Institute (IPHAN) 30 years ago and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
“A city planned for orderly and efficient work, but at the same time, a lively and pleasant city, suitable for intellectual reverie and speculation, capable of becoming, in time, besides being a center of government administration, a focus of the most lucid and sensitive culture in the country" - Lúcio Costa.
TCU and BSB
The dialog between the architecture of the Court's architectural complex—the headquarters building and its three annexes, walkway, and restaurant—built by Oscar Niemeyer, the landscaping by Burle Marx and the panels by Athos Bulcão are elements that converge in the history of Brasília.
In addition to its architectural heritage, the Court of Auditors has also contributed to the culture of the city through its Cultural Center. An important space for Brasilia, it features the Judge Guido Mondin Museum—one of the first museums created in the new capital—and the Marcantonio Vilaça Gallery, a contemporary art space.
Horizontal Panoramic Headquarters (2020) by Nathália Maria Machado CôrtesCentro Cultural TCU
The Federal Court of Auditors (TCU)
It is responsible for the accounting, financial, budgetary, operational, and patrimonial supervision of public bodies and entities with regard to their legality, legitimacy, and economy.
Main building and Nacional Congress of Brazil (2014) by Márcio HudsonCentro Cultural TCU
It assists the National Congress and its mission is to contribute to the improvement of the public administration for the benefit of society.
Federal Court of Accounts Main building 3D view (2020) by Maria Fernanda Garcia Palma de CintraCentro Cultural TCU
TCU's previous logo sign (1977) (1977) by Minister Guido Mondin TCU Museum's collectionCentro Cultural TCU
Ruy Barbosa portrait (1908) by Public domainCentro Cultural TCU
The Patron of the Audit Court of Auditors
In November 1890, by Decree 966-A, sponsored by Ruy Barbosa, first Minister of Finance of the Provisional Government, the Court of Auditors was created and definitively established by the Constitution of the Republic of the United States of America of Brazil of 1891.
Detail of the First Page of the Future Decree nº 966-A of November 7th, 1890 (1890) by Casa de Ruy Barbosa FoundationCentro Cultural TCU
Ruy Barbosa believed that it was essential to create an institution to control public revenue and expenditure. It must act in a supervisory capacity and be guided by the principles of independence, accounting accuracy, and legality of acts.
Inoccencio Sezerdello Correa portrait (1892) by Minister Guido Mondin TCU Museum's collectionCentro Cultural TCU
Defender of the Court of Auditors
As Minister of Finance, Innocêncio Serzedello Corrêa defended the Court of Auditors along the lines advocated by Ruy Barbosa. Wanting to speed up the establishment of the Court of Auditors, he succeeded in having Provisional Decree 1166/ 1892 issued which regulated the organization of the Court of Auditors.
Inoccencio Sezerdello Correa portrait (1892) by Minister Guido Mondin TCU Museum's collectionCentro Cultural TCU
TCU`s president Manoel Correia and Finance Minister Sezerdello Correa, represented in the painting of Guido Mondin, 1977 (1977) by Minister Guido Mondin TCU Museum's collectionCentro Cultural TCU
Detail of the 1st page of the Minutes of Installation of Federal Court of Accounts (1893) (1893) by Minister Guido Mondin TCU Museum's collectionCentro Cultural TCU
Federal Court of Accounts Internal Regulations, 1896 (1896) by Minister Guido Mondin TCU Museum's collectionCentro Cultural TCU
Visit of the Mayor of Brasília, Ivo de Magalhães in the construction of Federal Court of Accounts, 1963 (1963) by Federal District public archiveCentro Cultural TCU
Towards Brasilia: 60 years of architectural heritage
In December 1959, work was started on the foundations of the Court building in Brasilia which was called the Palace of the Court of Auditors. Based on a design by urban planner Lucio Costa and architect Oscar Niemeyer, the building was supposed to be completed in April 1960 but that did not happen.
Laying of the Foundation Stone, 1992 (1992) by Minister Guido Mondin TCU Museum's collectionCentro Cultural TCU
Even though its headquarters was not yet finished, the Court of Auditors moved to Brasilia in January 1961. On July 4, 1972, the cornerstone was laid on the site where the Court building was to be constructed. On November 26th, 1975, the Brazilian Court of Auditors moved to its new and current headquarters.
Palace of Federal Court of Accounts entrance sign (2014) by Federal Court of Accounts Communication DepartmentCentro Cultural TCU
Entrance ramp to the Federal Court of Accounts Palace (2020) by Maria Fernanda Garcia Palma de CintraCentro Cultural TCU
Palace of the Court of Auditors
With architecture by Renato C. Alvarenga, the headquarters building harmonizes with Burle Marx's landscaping, composing of internal and external gardens, and with the modern architecture of the city center.
Panoramic view of the Federal Court of Account Palace (2020) by Department of Engineering and Support Services (SENGE)Centro Cultural TCU
The Court of Auditors currently has an architectural complex consisting of the main building, three annexes, and a restaurant linked together by a walkway. Its Cultural Center is part of the architectural complex of the Serzedello Corrêa Institute—the Superior School of the Federal Court of Auditors.
Front Design of the entrance to the Palace of the Federal Court of Accounts (2020) by Maria Fernanda Garcia Palma de CintraCentro Cultural TCU
Entrance front of Federal Court of Accounts Palace (2020) by Maria Fernanda Garcia Palma de CintraCentro Cultural TCU
The Ruy Barbosa Palace: a tribute to the patron
In honor of its patron, in September 2014, the Federal Court of Auditors decided to name its headquarters building, which is located in the Praça dos Três Poderes in Brasília, as Palácio Ruy Barbosa.
Side view of Federal Court of Accounts Palace (2020) by Maria Fernanda Garcia Palma de CintraCentro Cultural TCU
External corridor of the Court Palace and part of its garden (2020) by Maria Fernanda Garcia Palma de CintraCentro Cultural TCU
External corridor design of the Court Palace. (2020) by Maria Fernanda Garcia Palma de CintraCentro Cultural TCU
Part of the Federal Court of Auditors Palace at dawn, next to the National Congress building at Esplanada dos Ministérios (2020) by Maria Fernanda Garcia Palma de CintraCentro Cultural TCU
Details from the Front of Federal Court of Accounts. (2020) by Maria Fernanda Garcia Palma de CintraCentro Cultural TCU
Walkway of Federal Court of Accounts (2014) by Lourdes AmaralCentro Cultural TCU
Annexes of the Court of Auditors
Today, the seat of the Court has three annexes designed by Oscar Niemeyer with the collaboration of Carlos Magalhães da Silveira.
Detail from the walkway between the Federal Court of Accounts annexes buildings. (2020) by Natália Maria Machado CôrtesCentro Cultural TCU
The first two annexes were inaugurated in December 1998 and one is named for Homero Santos and the other for Ademar Paladini Ghisi, both of them former members of the Court.
Aerial view of Federal Court of Accounts walkway and part of annexes buildings (2020) by Natália Maria Machado CôrtesCentro Cultural TCU
Annex III was inaugurated in December 2011 and named for Élvia Lordello Castello Branco, a former president of the Court and the first woman to hold that position.
Annex III, with rainbow in the background (2020) by Natália Maria Machado CôrtesCentro Cultural TCU
Detail of the walkway with clouds on the windows (2020) by Natália Maria Machado CôrtesCentro Cultural TCU
Design from the Walkway that connects the court's annexes from the inside. (2020) by Maria Fernanda Garcia Palma de CintraCentro Cultural TCU
Annex III centralized (2020) by Natália Maria Machado CôrtesCentro Cultural TCU
Annex II windows (2020) by Natália Maria Machado CôrtesCentro Cultural TCU
Court walkaway and Annex I (2020) by Natália Maria Machado CôrtesCentro Cultural TCU
Aerial photo of the annexes and Federal Court of Accounts restaurant. (2020) by Department of Engineering and Support Services (SENGE)Centro Cultural TCU
