LAW COURTS, SANT BOI DE LLOBREGAT

Project

A simple sketch of three vertical bars separated by courtyards on a plinth is dramatically altered by a layer of concrete sheets which give the building a smooth, almost opaque aspect yet transparent from the inside. The vertical component of the concrete sheets dominates, presenting a new kind of building, emulating the volumes of law books found on the walls of lawyers' and notaries' offices.
The concrete sheets are built from different distances and different angles, in some cases to favour views from inside and, in other cases, to prevent being seen from outside. The building is adapted to the surrounding streets' geometry. However, in contrast, it presents a completely linear north façade due to the train line parallel to the street and also to clearly show its orientation towards the square. When the sun enters the courtyards some of the sheets glisten, illuminated from behind.
The hearing rooms are on the ground floor, with a direct connection to the public space of the square, while the judicial offices are on the upper floors. There are four areas in each corner which allow separate access for judges, lawyers, defendants and the public.

Team

• Architecture
  Jordi Badia + Jordi Framis
• Computation structures
  Eduard Doce.
• Calculation facilities
  Consulting Lluis Duart SL.
• Measurements and Budget
  Francesc Belart.
• Execution address
  TALLER DE ENGINYERIA AMBIENTAL SL.
• Project Management
  MACE FACE.
• Images
  Photos: © Pegenaute, © Duccio Malagamba, © Eugeni Pons

Publications

• a+, Arquitectura Plus 12
  Year 2009 Pp. 20 Project: Court of Sant Boi
• Alaprajz 1 (Hungary)
  Year 2006 Pp. 10-11 Project:Court of Sant Boi
• Arquitectura COAM 357
  Year 2009 Pp. 24 - 29 Project: Court of Sant Boi
• Arquitectura Viva 113 «Piedra al límite»
  Year 2008 Pp. 11 Project: Court of Sant Boi
• AT Arquitectes de Tarragona 5
  Year 2004. Pp.12-13 Project: Court of Sant Boi
• AV MONOGRAFÍAS 129-130
  Year 2008 Pp. 72 - 77 Project: Court of Sant Boi
• DETAIL 122-123
  Year 2009 Pp. 22 - 23 Project: Court of Sant Boi
• Emergentes 03 Ciclo de conferencias
  Year 2003 Pp. 18 -19 Project: Court of Sant Boi
• Infodomus 26
  Year 2009 Pp. 63 Project: Court of Sant Boi
• Mais Arquitectura 3 (Portugal)
  Year 2006 Pp. 46-51 Project:Court of Sant Boi
• Oficinas 274
  Year 2008 Pp. 110 - 112 Project: Court of Sant Boi
• ON diseño 301
  Year 2009 Pp. 118 - 123 Project: Court of Sant Boi
• Panorama 3
  Year 2009 Pp. 9 Project: Court of Sant Boi
• Quaderns d?arquitectura i urbanisme 259
  Year 2010 Pp. 16-25. Projects: Court of Sant Boi

Awards

2009

• Finalist.  Premios Construmat 2009.




2008

• Finalist.   II Trienal de Arquitectura del Baix Llobregat.
• First prize Catalunya Construcció 2008.