High Court of Justice and Supreme Court, City of Justice
Madrid, Spain, 2006
The new Campus of Justice in Madrid is the largest single site dedicated to justice in Europe; liaising with the Spanish authorities and architects Foster and Partners. The Madrid Law courts comprise of two large circular buildings, the Audiencia Provincial, which is the Regional Appeals Court (referred to as the AP building) and the Tribunal Superior de Justicia, which is the High Court (referred to as TSJ building). A spacious open plaza links the two court buildings and provides principal access to each.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Audiencia Provincial
The AP building consists of six storeys plus three basement levels, which is penetrated by a full height atrium through the centre of the building capped by a glazed roof. The building sits as an island surrounded by a pool of water at Level 00 (Ground Floor). The water theme is continued within the building with pools of water circulated between groups of court rooms; which generates an animated visual experience as daylight is reflected, while it also cools and humidifies the environment.. Levels 00 and 01 accommodate 33 courtrooms, clustered in groups of two or three accessed via internal link bridges. The courts are grouped according to criminal, civil and mercantile occupancy types, which aid circulation patterns throughout the building. The upper levels are raised above the courts providing office accommodation on the perimeter of the building with meeting rooms encircling the atrium. The main public entrance to the building is situated on Level 01 and is accessed from outside via a bridge.
There are three basement levels which are used primarily for car parking and plant; however there are also Archive storage and detainee facilities. Detained persons are brought into the building via the secured underground car park and detainees are held in a restricted area where they can be transferred to court rooms via secure lifts. The AP Building incorporates a series of eight Patio atria’s spaced equally around the perimeter of the building, adjacent to the office areas on Level 02-05. These provide light and space to the building, and will be used as informal meeting spaces at Level 02.
Tribunal Superior de Justicia
The TSJ building is smaller than the neighbouring AP building, comprising of six storeys plus three basement levels. A central triangular atrium forms a wedge shape in the centre of the building. Office accommodation is located throughout the upper floors with seven courts located on the 5th floor at each side of the atrium. A glazed mezzanine level is located on sixth floor level where the Presidential suite is located. The main public entrance to the building is situated on Level 00. The three basement levels are designated primarily for car parking and plant; however there are also archive storage facilities and an Auditorium. Detained persons are brought into the building via the underground car park and held in a restricted area where they can be transferred to court rooms via secure lifts.
Outline Plans
SCOPE AND CO-ORDINATION OF SERVICES
| Structural Engineering | Physical & Sensory Access (Disability) | Standby power systems |
| Façade Engineering | HVAC | Lightning Protection |
| Acoustics Engineering | Chilled water systems | Fire Detection and Alarm |
| Security | Domestic water services | Fire Engineering |
| Sustainability | Foul and Surface water drainage | Active fire protection systems to ‘performance level’, including sprinklers |
| IT | Internal Lighting | |
| Audio Visual | HV & LV power systems |
Imperial College Business School
London, 2004
The new Imperial College Business School created a new enhanced entrance to Imperial College’s South Kensington campus on Exhibition Road. Funded by a 25 million donation from technology investor and Imperial alumnus Dr Gary Tanaka of Amerindo Investment Advisors Inc, This new build and part refurbishment business school with architects Foster and Partners was officially opened on 24 June 2004 by Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by His Royal Highness The Duke of York.
The Business School comprises an atrium bounded by existing 1960’s institutional buildings the Mechanical Engineering Department and the Grade II listed Royal School of Mines Goldsmiths Wing.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
This striking cylindrical building rising from the lower ground level houses lecture theatres on several levels, seminar/meeting rooms. Support teaching areas, rest and utility areas, and a stand-alone lecture theatre are located at lower ground level.
The entire new-build element, together with a new College entrance, is cloaked in a protective envelope, creating a year round usable atrium space within. The base of this atrium space contains a social Forum space which is the social hub of the new School. Out of the Forum space rises a dramatic six-storey stainless steel drum containing circular lecture theatres.
The adjacent ground level entrance space which serves as a new ‘front door’ for the college also provides exhibition space for the college.
Outline Plans
SCOPE AND CO-ORDINATION OF SERVICES
| Structural Engineering | HVAC | Fire Engineering |
| Façade Engineering | Chilled water systems | Active fire protection systems to ‘performance level’ |
| Acoustics Engineering | Domestic water services | Fire Detection and Alarm |
| Security | Foul and Surface water drainage | ETFE Foil Cushioned Roof Design |
| Sustainability | Internal Lighting | Building Management System |
| IT | HV & LV power systems | Commissioning Building Services |
| Audio Visual | Standby power systems | Building Facilities Maintenance |
| Physical & Sensory Access (Disability) | Lightning Protection | Demolition and Enabling Works |