© David Chipperfield Architects . Pubblicata il 19 Gennaio 2009.

Integrating Site & Context
The particular natural ‘island’ conditions of the coastal site will provide a specific character to this institution, suggesting a retreat from urban pressures, a campus next to the dunes providing a civilising and humane environment for justice. It is uncompressed, open and at the same time discreet.

© David Chipperfield Architects . Pubblicata il 19 Gennaio 2009.

Organising Clarity and Balance
The building organisation provides a clear and logical arrangement embodying a harmonious relationship between the various parts of the judicial system. It responds to the essential security constraints, respects the separation of the protagonists’ paths and reflects the clear divisions in the programme.

© David Chipperfield Architects . Pubblicata il 19 Gennaio 2009.

The Public, Judiciary, and Office of the Prosecutor functions and the Registry are divided into two parallel buildings. These connect at the east and west to provide the necessary degree of physical connection. They are linked at basement and ground floor by pavilions accommodating their shared activities: the conference centre, restaurants, library, and the courtrooms.

© David Chipperfield Architects . Pubblicata il 19 Gennaio 2009.

At the heart of the project is a sequence of open-air courtyard gardens, which provide a calm and secure natural environment overlooked by the public lobby at ground level, the witness corridors and courtrooms at basement level, and the office accommodation above.

Representing Modern Justice
The architectural resolution of the building avoids monumentalism and aims to optimise the physical experience of the natural environment. Architectural resources have been deliberately contained, and employ materials which will age naturally and integrate with the setting. Logical and robust structural and environmental strategies ensure maximum quality, flexibility in the long term, economy, longevity and therefore sustainability.

The landscaping approach responds to the mutable dune character of the adjacent nature reserve and its palette of grasses, solitaire and grouped pines, and multiple small ponds. Courtyards form an inner world visually connected to the exterior across the public lobby promenade each exploring a theme of the natural landscape.