The Gustavo Capanema Palace in downtown Rio de Janeiro was built for Brazil's Ministry of Education and Health. It is described as the first modernist public building in the Americas. A team designed it in 1935 and 1936, including Lúcio Costa, Carlos Leão, Oscar Niemeyer and Affonso Eduardo Reidy, with Le Corbusier overseeing the project.
The building is raised on pilotis, with glass walls and adjustable brise-soleil on the north side. It has azulejo tile murals and paintings by Cândido Portinari. Roberto Burle Marx designed the tropical gardens and a roof garden.
It was named for Gustavo Capanema, Brazil's first Minister of Education. It became a national heritage site in 1948. Today it is occupied by the Ministry of Culture.
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