Edifício Petrônio

The Edifício Petrônio features a distinct, curved facade of vertical brise-soleil slats that cut across the building like a jagged white zipper. Designed by architect Henrique Mindlin in the nineteen fifties, it stands as a prime example of the modernist movement in Rio de Janeiro. While many neighboring buildings follow rigid rectangular lines, the Petrônio breaks the grid. Residents still debate whether the curved silhouette serves to catch the ocean breeze or simply to claim a larger share of the narrow coastal view.