For a long time, courthouses have stood as symbols of authority—monumental, symmetrical, and physically imposing. While recent efforts aim to bring the court closer to the public, these changes have been limited, and most citizens still feel distant from the institution.
This project begins with a shared conviction: that the authority of the court must now be expressed not through scale or rigidity, but through transparency, inclusiveness, and fairness. The courthouse should be a civic space—open, accessible, and in harmony with its urban surroundings.
To achieve this, the low-rise podium was broken down into modest volumes and laid out broadly across the site, allowing the architecture to breathe. This gesture creates a series of terraces—each serving a unique purpose: softening tension for those awaiting trial, offering open public space to everyday citizens, and guiding the flow of circulation after court proceedings.
These terraces connect vertically through an “open plaza,” leading to a rooftop garden above. From ground to sky, the building integrates public life—hosting moments of culture, rest, and gathering.
Inside, a large atrium connects all floors of the podium. This bright, naturally lit space allows intuitive orientation, as users can visually access the main zones of civil, criminal, and mediation courts. The atrium also becomes a multi-functional venue—accommodating public events, civic dialogue, and shared moments.
The judicial tower, where judges work, was designed to balance efficiency and pause—offering porous, three-dimensional resting zones. Positioned closer to the Prosecutor’s Office and pulled away from the site center, the tower negotiates its surroundings with openness on one side and vertical dignity on the other.
This proposal deliberately departs from the traditional image of a courthouse. It opens its arms wide to the public with low, broad spaces, while affirming its presence with light and height. It may feel unfamiliar at first—but for a judicial space long overdue for transformation, it is a necessary step forward.
