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Manchester Civil Justice Centre

Denton Corker Marshall, Manchester, 2007

 

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Exterior view 

Tim Griffith (website)     Download Original

  • Exterior view    
  • Exterior view    
  • Glazed facade    
  • MCJC at night    
  • A grey perforated screen shields offices on the city-facing elevation    
  • Public concourse on level 8, overlooking the consulttion pods    
  • Entrance    
  • Public atrium and cafe    
  • Courtroom    
  • Offices    
  • Site plan    
  • Ground floor plan    
  • Level 11 plan    
  • Elevation and section     
  • Ventilation section    
  • Ventilation and sunlighting diagram    
  • MCJC sketch    
  • MCJC sketch    
  • MCJC sketch    
  • Exploded building elements: (left to right) glazed atrium screen, pods, public concourse, spine, court/office fingers, environmental brief     

International design competition combining the Manchester County Court, High Court and Magistrates' Court into one building

The building stands at 90 meters tall and houses 47 courtrooms, 75 consultation rooms, in addition to office and support space over 17 levels.

From the exterior, the design idea is to signal and literally displays the accessibility of the courts. Integrating the building into its context.

The working courts and offices are expressed as long rectilinear forms, articulated at each floor level, and projecting at each end of the building as a varied composition of solid and void. In side elevation, these elements collectively establish a dynamic and distinctive building profile; in end elevation, they form a sculptural interplay of light and shade, depth and complexity. The architectural idea is that the courts are not forbidding or concealed, but open and accessible.

Data

  • Begun: Jan 2004
  • Completed: Jul 2007
  • Floor area: 34,000m2
  • Sector: Civic
  • Total cost: £112M
  • Tender date: Dec 2003
  • Procurement: Design and build
  • CO2 Emissions: 54kg/m2/year
  • Address: 1 Bridge Street West, Manchester, M60 9DJ, United Kingdom

Professional Team