David Chipperfield Architects introduces new law courts complex in Spain

Ciutat de la Justícia is based in a 240,000 square meter area, comprising nine buildings, four of which are linked by a continuous four-story building, and includes designs of all public, courtroom and office interiors.

Initially, the legal departments of the Governments of Barcelona and l’Hospitalet were scattered in 17 buildings across the two cities, Barcelona and Madrid, but the new court complex allows working spaces to adapt to the constant transformation of the judicial body, as well as provide reserve space for future growth.

Ciutat de la Justícia features a group of four large judicial buildings situated around the perimeter of a linking concourse building. They generally contain courtrooms on the ground floor, and further three floors. All floors are accessed directly from the concourse building, which acts as a filter. The concourse building also gathers people at the start and completion of their judicial visit, within a central public room, which overlooks the exterior plaza.

Four other independent buildings form part of the complex, including a judicial services building for l’Hospitalet, a forensic sciences building, and two commercial buildings with retail facilities in the ground floor. A further building is planned, which will include social housing.

All nine buildings are conceived as formally restrained blocks with load bearing colored concrete cage facades. Each building has a different and contrasting color tone. The concourse building has a more free form plan with exposed concrete slabs, and woven mesh screens in front of frameless glazing.

The new court complex is on the border of the two cities of Barcelona and l’Hospitalet, on a site which was previously a military barracks. It is located adjacent to both Gran Via, a major access route into the center of Barcelona from the south, and Carrilet, an artery leading to l’Hospitalet. The position provides accessibility to the city and major metropolitan routes on both public and private transport.

David Chipperfield Architects was founded in 1984 and has its headquarters in London, UK.