while previous embankments existed in the western shore of the guanabara bay's entrance, none had the scale of the new undertaking. it created an area of 1.200.000 square meters, which extends from what is now the santos dumont airport, to the botafogo beach.

the sheer size made it the greatest landscaping project ever attempted in brazil.  the project, designed by  lota macedo soares in collaboration with roberto burle marx, would incorporate 1.000.000m2 of atlantic rainforest, comprising 16.000 trees of 210 different species, as well as a diverse set of areas for sportive and cultural activities.