The new ACT Law Courts integrate the existing ACT Magistrates Court and heritage ACT Law Courts, creating a legal precinct that positively contributes to the public realm and urban fabric of Canberra. As a long-term project it modernises and simplifies the courts experience for all users, including some of the most vulnerable in the community.
This major civic building extends the principles of the Griffin Plan that created a justice precinct around City Hill and draws its major axes into the building. It is designed to respectfully restore, preserve and renew the heritage building in its entirety and to frame it as a centrepiece of the precinct, around which the new building is folded.
All public spaces, and most importantly the courtrooms, are designed for safety of all parties and to mediate the tension of attending court - transformed with natural light and views.
THE COURTROOMS
The courtrooms are the focus of all activities and the most complicated interior spaces which must balance security, technology, the role of different participants and create a dignified experience. They are designed from first principles - locating all vertical circulation between pairs of courtrooms to allow natural light and views to the front and rear of the space. All participants gain this amenity and relief.
Changes in carpet colour define the ‘playing field’ for legal practitioners from the public ‘spectators’ gallery. This was carefully modelled, prototyped and further resolved on-site to create dignified and safe settings for persons-in-custody, witnesses and juries. The careful integration of acoustics, materiality and audio-visual technology was critical to creating a contemporary courtroom.
INTERIORS
A generously sized foyer welcomes court visitors and clear wayfinding reveals the next steps in their journey. Internally, a skylit glazed atrium separates the heritage Supreme Court and additions, creating the primary internal circulation space. The original courtyard is restored as the focus of waiting spaces. The naturally lit and secure foyer is made from natural materials and the colours of the landscape, assisting in stress reduction and tying back to Canberra city.
The ground floor contains the public secure entry and foyer, registry workspace, jury facilities, support services and two refurbished non-jury courtrooms in the older building. A new sallyport, accessed discretely off Knowles Place, serves the basement level custody facility. The two middle levels, accessed by public lifts and stairs plus separate jury, custody and judicial lifts, will accommodate up to 8 courtrooms. Further up the conference facility and judicial chambers are located, which open to a continuous balcony that frames views across Canberra.
The undulating ceilings, drawn from Canberra’s surrounding topography, creates vaulted zones within the space. The ‘mid-century’ colour scheme differentiates it from nature-themed colours in the new build. Newly commissioned artworks are integrated into public spaces, such as the‘Scribbly Gum’ (by Jade Oakley)which lights up in and acknowledges Canberra’s iconic Scribbly Gum trees.
EXTERIORS
The new courts building addresses City Hill with a gently curved façade following Vernon Circle. The architectural language is legible at the urban scale and experience of a moving vehicle.
The civic forecourt is open to the broader public realm and does not place the new entrance on a podium. Enhanced accessibility and transparency manifests equitable access to the judicial system.
Material Used :
Materials - Internal
Paint
Supplier: Dulux
Colours: Dulux: Natural White, 'Moray' P17F5, Knapsack - P15C5/PN1G8, 'Reckkess Grey' - SG6H5, 'Brume' - P12A1/PN2E6, Joyful P15.H4, Rickrack P18.E6, 'Domino' - SG6G8; Wattyl: Wattyl F40W (dark green), Wattyl B56W (yellow), Wattyl Cactus Jam, Lilli Pad
Flooring
Cork Tiles
Supplier: Market Timbers
Product: Wicanders traditional cork tiles
Ceramic Tiles
Supplier: Classic Ceramics, Range/Ref: Lab Black Natural 60
Stone Paving
Supplier: Urbanstone; Granites/Colours: Riverina, Austral Black, Balmoral Green
Carpet
Supplier: Ontera; Product: Colourweave Custom Coloured and Pattern Carpet Tile
Vinyl
Supplier: Tarkett; Products: IQ Optima, Granit Safe, Tarasafe
Entrance Matting
Supplier: JustMats; Product: RolaDek
Warning Tactiles
Supplier: Dtac; Product: Ultimat Range, Classic Design
Wall Paper:
Florence Broadhurst Wallpaper, supplied by Signature Prints, Design: Cockatoos, Colour: Wasabi
Laminates:
Laminex Laminate; Colours: Parchment, Olive, Battalion, Black, Baye, Midnight, Juicy, Sphinx
Surface Squared, Abet Laminati: Colours: 0891 SEI, 845 SEI, 890 SEI
Acoustic Panels:
Baresque‘Zintra’ Colours; Silver
Autex Vertiface: Colour: Wasasbi, Avocado
Solid Surface:
Corian Glacier White, matt finish Deep Nocturne, satin finish
Marblo OFR series OFR/WP 1694-3 (Orange)
Blinds:
Supplier: Silent Gliss
Fabrics:
Brown Out Roller Blind Fabric: Multiscreen 5%,Colour: 0207, Metroshade Block, Colour: Pearl
SheerRoller Blind Fabric: Metroshade Light Filtering, Colour: Pearl, Vividshade, Colour: White/Stone
Timber Paneling:
KD hardwood with Stained Vic Ash; Colours: Wattyl colours; Weathered Grey, Mustard, Pepper Tree, Pewter Cup, Deep Stone
KD hardwood in Spotted Gum finish
Windows:
- Criterion Industries window framing
Materials - External
Façade Cladding
Supplier: AAF Anodised Aluminium Façade Panels
Colours: Sea Breeze, Sovereign Gold, Burnt Sienna, Apollo Grey, Platnium
Supplier: Vitra Panel
Colours: Custom colours
Supplier: Euroa Glazed Brick
Colours: Woodfern, Bright Green, Lime
Furniture
1. Zenith: Ema Chair by Enea
2. Stylecraft: M24 Task Chair
3. Cult: Dauphin Siamo Conference Swivel Chair
4. Stylecraft: Kinesit High Back swivel chair
5. Camatic: Clarity Custody Chair
6. Cafe Culture: Luxembourg Outdoor Chair
7. Camatic: Zenith Compact Beam Seating (Custom)
8. Cafe Culture: Finn Chair
9. Stylecraft: Catifa Meeting Chair on castors
10. Herman Miller: AueronJudicial Chair
11. Camatic: Quantum 850 Jury Chairs
12. Cult: About a Chair
13. Cafe Culture: Morph Lounge Chair
14. Stylecraft: Blava Reading Chair
15. Stylecraft: Softscape Ottoman
16. Stylecraft: Box Ottoman
17. Kfive: Scandinavia2 Seater Lounge
18. Stylecraft: Home 1 Lounge by Eso
19. Kfive: October '11' Armchair
20. KFive: October '21'2 seater Lounge
21. KFive: October '31'3 seater Lounge
22. Stylecraft: Box One Lounge and Armchair
23. Stylecraft: Aava Bar Stool
24. Zenith: EmaBar Stool by Enea
25. Planex: S-Series Tambour
26. Kfive: Oberon Meeting Table
27. Stylecraft: Blade Meeting Table
28. Haworth: Plane Table on castors
29. Stylecraft: Nuur Table
30. Living Edge/ Walter Knoll: Keypiece Conference System
31. Cafe Culture: Luxembourg Table
32. Thinking Works: I.am Table Base
33. Relm: Durer Coffee Table
34. Jardan: Quincy Table
35. Jardan: Tilda Table
36. Stylecraft: Solapa Coffee Table
37. Jardan: Ellis Coffee Table
38. Stylecraft: Box Coffee Table
39. Mark Tuckey: Timber Refectory Coffee Table
40. Mark Tuckey: Cross Base Timber Side Table
41. Stylecraft: Credenza from 'Chest by Greg Natale' range
42. Cafe Culture: Stockholm Credenza/Sideboard
43. Planex: Virtu Pedestal
44. Kfive: InnoMagazine Rack
45. Dexion: Ultima CI-80 Shelving
46. Cult: Me Too Magis Kids Chair and Table
47. Kfive: Luggage Kids Ottoman
48. Kfive: May Toy Storage
49. Kfive: Moow Whiteboard
