The very notion of “the scales of justice” has provided OMA with inspiration for this Paris courthouse. The tried and trusted metaphor for justice, a blindfolded person weighing only the evidence in the scales, has been called upon again, but this time the “scales” have been abstracted to suggest the buildings form and programmatic organisation.
The tall central block provides office space, whilst the lower buildings to the left and right provide space for the activities associated with the criminal and civil law. Whilst the buildings connect internally, they each retain their own identity. The civil court process is inflected towards the city centre, whilst the criminal court is more closed off as you might expect. The tower will set a new landmark on the Paris skyline, and the Salle Rerdus, the viewing deck, will give an entirely new perspective of the over the city.
Gratitude to eVollo.
