Focussing on the theme of the occupation of the Barão do Rio Branco House as the headquarters of the Department of Architecture and Urbanism, the students carried out historical and technical research by searching databases, historical archives and interviews with important people responsible for this. The department's campus is located in the city of Petrópolis, currently at Avenida Ipiranga, 544. However, until 2016 it occupied the listed building on Avenida Barão do Rio Branco, named in honour of the famous name in 20th century Brazilian politics, in his former home. Unfortunately, after the Institution bought the site and set up the department that until then belonged to the School of Industrial Design, the space was banned by Petrópolis City Hall and declared inhospitable due to its high level of degradation and unsuitable occupation. In view of this scenario, its current headquarters were rented for the continuation of academic activities. In addition to these factors, a need was identified for an in-depth study of the residence and a better understanding of its former residents, listing processes, purchase, sale and other documentation in the political, economic and historical spheres. In this way, such research could make possible a future intervention to adapt an annex to the institution, such as a postgraduate course and other activities in the space, increasing the quality of teaching given the current lack of space suffered by teachers and students, as well as valuing the heritage, restoration and proper conservation of the building that suffers from arduous government neglect.

For more information visit: https://uerj-arq20181.wixsite.com/witeebs or follow us on Instagram: @divulga.uerj