Supremo Tribunal Federal

The seat of Brazil's highest court occupies a glass-walled pavilion on the Praca dos Três Poderes, completing the trio of buildings that represent the three branches of government in the capital. Designed by Oscar Niemeyer and opened in 1960, it repeats the curved white external columns used across the square, tying the judiciary visually to the presidency and congress opposite. A sculpture of blind Justice by Alfredo Ceschiatti sits before the entrance, and the transparent facade suggests judicial openness.