Permanent Premises of the International Criminal Court

Explanation of the Architect

“The three main areas of the prosecutors, the judges and the registrars are clearly separated from each other, still the building acts as an 'open house' architecturally. Views into nature, views into one of the several omnipresent gardens orientate both every-day users as well as visitors in the building as they are visually exposed to natural conditions such as weather or natural daylight at any time.

The buildings architecture is light, careful, elegant and at the same time transparent. It is detached from any specific cultural context. The design is not an overly defensive 'security-architecture' but an expression of fairness and a court of law as a place of court hearings”.

The ICC's values such as transparency, communication and efficiency are reflected in the view of the Jury, who states it as a 'happy building', which creates a new democratic image of a court and a deep philosophy to justice. The dunes landscape flows into the open courtyards between the fingers.

The building as a unity is a positive element for functionality reasons. The multiple visual connections create an open, transparent campus-like appearance. The spatial quality is outstanding. The courtrooms are exposed in a prominent position at the van Alkemadelaan, they all receive plenty of daylight from the roof. The entrance concept and the separation of public areas and staff areas contribute to an excellent security zoning. The Jury found work and internal conditions extremely well and user-friendly.

The energy and environmental concepts offers an innovative approach and an excellent heating and cooling concept. It is worked out in an excellent way.

This design appeals to the jury as the best solution on urban planning, architecture, security, flexibility and scalability. Therefore the design is the worthy winner of the 1st prize.