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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.

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.

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.

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.