Law Courts

The new law courts of Caen in Northern France designed by Baumschlager Eberle communicate a clear message: transparency, stringent shape and essential architectural means.

Baumshlager Eberle, Law Courts, Caen
The law courts of Caen were originally designed by Christian Hauvette’s studio, and are now revised by Baumschlager Eberle together with Atelier Pierre Champenois, a former partner of Christian Hauvette.
Baumshlager Eberle, Law Courts, Caen
Baumshlager Eberle, Law Courts, Caen
An orthogonal pattern constitutes the base for the internal organisation of the law courts. The main rooms are adja­cent to the facades and the corridors throughout the building always end up at the facades, resulting in good lighting and comfortable working areas. The circular centre spans all 5 floors and it is the heart of the law courts: a landmark and a parameter for the interior area. A horizontal band highlights the first floor where the court rooms are located. In so doing, this new law courts communicate a message both to its users and to pedestrians: transparency, stringent shape and essential architectural means.
Baumshlager Eberle, Law Courts, Caen
Baumshlager Eberle, Law Courts, Caen
The project wants to offer both high comfort to the users and opti­mal energy performance. The passive and active strategies ensure low energy consumption thanks to a very compact volume, a double skin facade system and a bioclimatic atrium which helps to reduce heat loss while increasing thermal inertia. This project is part of the Ministry of Justice’s goals to provide the courts a contemporary environment, corresponding to the current requirements of functionality, safety and serenity, while providing optimal public reception conditions.

Law Courts in Caen, France
Program: public administration building
Architects: Baumschlager Eberle
Partner: Atelier d’architecture Pierre Champenois
Project leader: Anne Speicher
Team: Charlotte Chebassier, Benjamin Grousselas, Jean-Marie Lesène, Marc-Antoine Servella, Mihaela Stanescu
Client:
Ministère de la Justice, APIJ
Landscape: Sempervirens paysagist
Energy: Egis Concept – Elioth
Site area: 9,000 sqm
Built surface: 5,800 sqm
Completion: 2015
 

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