Law Courts
Antwerp, Belgium

The city of Antwerp can today pride itself on its new law courts, which invited comparisons with a vast metal, glass and timber cathedral of 78 000 m2 . Inaugurated in March, the building is the work of Richard Rogers who won the international competition back in 1999.

It comprises six wings, set around a central public area (Hall of the Lost Steps) and is designed with interior gardens laid out between each wing. The predominantly glazed façade makes it possible to make the most of natural light, which floods all the rooms, playing on the theme of real and symbolic transparency. Users can enjoy a panoramic view over the city, even from the courtrooms.

While the construction is not exceptionally high – it does not tower over the neighbouring buildings – its roof on the other hand attracts the eye. The sloping points have been designed by the architect as a tribute to the bell towers of Flemish churches or the sailing boats meandering down the nearby River Escaut.

The expertise of Richard Rogers & Partners, Ove Arup and VK made it possible to create this remarkable wave-like roof with its complex three-dimensional structure, composed of triangular sections. The practice opted for superstructures in the form of a hyperbolic paraboloid. In fact, each roof consists of four interlinked quadrants. Each quadrant forms a hyperbolic paraboloid on a square base.

The linear elements that in fact fill the quadrants, are made form “woven ť timber: an assembly of planks fixed onto the arch of the frame. This construction method makes it possible to obtain a coating with perfect curves. The timber structure will remain visible from the inside of the building so that the visitor can appreciate the interaction of the elements involved.