Federal Court of Justice

Karlsruhe, 2016 / 2nd prize

The new east building for the Federal Court of Justice is the keystone on the site of the former Hereditary Grand Ducal Palace. The building is seen as a counterpart to the Erich Schelling building opposite and completes the symmetrical spatial situation. The four-storey east building is divided into a first floor, which houses the higher-level functions, and three identical upper floors, each with two senates. Visitors reach the axially arranged main entrance via a flat ramp staircase along the eastern driveway. The water level of the two inner courtyards turns the foyer into a contemplative center of the building. In the extension of the foyer is the entrance to the courtrooms, which benefit from the view of the adjacent park. Finely bush-hammered white concrete elements combined with carefully detailed box windows in architectural bronze lend the east building a calm and classic appearance. The simple architectural appearance of the new building represents the importance of the Federal Court of Justice. The interest is not in the short-term or the contemporary aspect. Rather, the fundamental and universal aspects are of interest.

Data

Competition 2016
2nd prize