European Case study - 2

New Federal Criminal Court - Ticino, Schweiz

This renovation project was completed in 2013 with 9580 square meters located on Via Stefano Franscini where there existing former school of Buisiness, designed by Durisch & Nolli Architetti. In conservation part: the neoclassical oeuvre has been conceived as entrance of the building. Near the previous mansory & concrete structure, new reinforcement structure was constructed to resist and protect original structure. It is, however, in the core of the building that one finds the symbol of the new institution: the main courtroom introducted by the small visiting room, adjacent to the secondary courtroom and the press room. As other criminal courts in Switzerland, this one opens its doors to the public and media during the discussion sessions. On the top floor a library occupies the spaces around the main courtroom while the neoclassical building houses the cafeteria and meeting rooms.

Here lies the conceptual connection between smoothness and plasticity, sober objectivity and monumentality, justice and ritual, logic and representation. The white color of the concrete refers not only to the clarity, purity and truth, but also to the blank page and impartiality. Thus, a quiet, even sacred, breath seems to cross the courtrooms. From this point of view one can describe the new Federal Criminal Court building in Bellinzone as a monumental structure at the same time peaceful and realistic.

Keywords

Compatibility: Use all white coating on existed facades and new addition elevations to make the whole project as a intergrated building, and remained the same rhythm sensation in the reconstructed elevations and interior corridors.

Durability: Applying reinforcement concrete structure to achieve resistance and strength.

Recognizability: Even though the whole building has white coating, the characteristic of neo-classicism can be recognized through new construction part.

Plan layout

It is obvious on the geometry and typology of the rhythm on plan drawings, such as the different functional rooms and corridors, following the facade design and extended into interior space design. Also in sections, the neo-classicism could be recognized easily of arches and new addition parts, the comparison between classical and modern styles.

Highlight part of renovation

The courtrooms were conceived as square floor spaces each one topped by a pyramidal dome with a skylight that provides natural light to these places. The surfaces of the dome are richly ornamented with perforated triangular panels which create an interesting pattern suggesting baroque elements. This floral motif spreads through the domes’ surfaces just as branches and leafs do in the canopies of the trees.