THE JACK CHEESMAN AWARD FOR ENDURING ARCHITECTURE
YOUTH COURT OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA ADRIAN EVANS ARCHITECT The Youth Court of South Australia building opened in 1975. Formerly known as the Juvenile Court, it was designed by architect Adrian Evans, and delivered by the Public Buildings Department. This was a new type of Court in Australia at the time, marking a progressive approach to youth justice, and Adrian worked closely with client representative, SA Family Court Justice John Marshall, to develop the brief. A key design objective was to create a building devoid of institutional overtones, thereby evading a potentially confronting physical environment. The resultant partial two-storey scale of the building minimises height and bulk, while aiding integration with the surrounding streetscape. Lush landscaped courtyards throughout the building’s design deliver natural light and external views to various areas, including courtrooms and original entry. Further light is introduced via timber clad cylindrical skylights over the public waiting area and stair. These design features create a calming atmosphere: a highly valued solution to help diffuse the inevitable emotional turmoil experienced by Court attendees.
PHOTOGRAPHY NICOLETTE DI LERNIA
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