A design competition for the 65,000 sqm new District Court complex, located near the Independence Park in Jerusalem’s City Center.

The project contains dozens of functions, several courtrooms, strict separation of circulation routes (public, judges, prisoners), crowd control design and security measures, offices and an underground parking lot.

The proposal design links to the concept of both ethical transparency and the pillars of justice; the large building spreads wide in the shape of a crescent, opening to the public through the park’s greenery with a glass facade, avoiding the routine claustrophobic feel of long corridors and dark lobbies. The aim is to create a distinguished building on the one hand, echoing the essence of traditional Jerusalem stone architecture, and on the other hand present a contemporary interpretation. Thus, the long exterior façade facing the park is built primarily using glass panels, while the stacked courtrooms, office and security features are built of stone to offer more privacy and a secure structure.