International Criminal Court by Mecanoo
from Mecanoo Architecten
Symbol of Justice and Peace
The International Criminal Court (ICC) was founded in 2002 and is the first and only permanent international court dealing with combating international crime, such as genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. So that it could carry out these duties appropriately, an international design competition was held in 2008 in which twenty internationally prominent architects were selected, including Mecanoo. The 73,000 m2 site for the new ICC is located in the dunes which border the city and is currently being operating as the Alexander Military Barracks. For this site, Mecanoo created a building that is a symbol of justice and peace in the 21st century. The design is inspired by the circle, a symbol of infinity and universality. The building is situated within the dunes so that it gestures toward the nearby Peace Palace, a recognized symbol of law and peace of the last century.
Heart
The new ICC floats like a bowl above the dunes, referring to the scales of Lady Justice where evidence and testimonies are weighed. Underneath the scale is the glass lobby, which offers a magnificent view over the dunes and the magnificent square, itself a dune basin extending toward the city. The lobby is the heart of the courthouse and is the connecting link between the public functions in the dune and the more secure functions in the scale. The lobby is a multifunctional space with a reception desk, coffee bar, exhibition space, library and reading room. The circular form is not only echoed of the form of the building and the shapes in the landscape, but also in the playful pattern of the facade. The ICC is a CO2 neutral building, and with its compact form, there is a minimum of energy loss. Energy-generating windmills in the facade are driven by the ever-present sea breeze.
Curves
Under the dune lies the Forum, which Mecanoo shaped like a Roman amphitheatre so that a connection is formed between the entrance and lobby on the bel-etage. Also beneath the dunes are the pressroom, a conference hall and a staff restaurant. Dramatic escalators lead the visitor from the lobby to the upstairs foyer for the courtrooms. The curves of the scale are visible throughout the public tribunals of the four courtrooms, which are located on the same level. The spaces between the courtrooms are intended on for use by judges, lawyers, witnesses and suspects. The offices above the courtrooms are organized compactly into various departments and separated by atria that allow light and air to penetrate deep within the building.
Project Data
Location:
Van Alkemadelaan / Oude Waalsdorperweg, Den Haag
Program:
Court house of 46,000 m2 with 1,200 work stations, 2 extensions of each 150 work stations and 12,000 m2 parking
Design:
2008
Client:
International Criminal Court, Den Haag; Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken, Den Haag; Gemeente Den Haag
Structural engineer:
ABT bv, Delft
Building physics consultant:
Deerns Raadgevende Ingenieurs, Rijswijk
Building costs consultant:
Basalt Bouwkostenadvies bv, Nieuwegein
M and E engineer:
Peutz bv, Zoetermeer