![Palais de Justice Caen](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Palais-de-Justice-Caen-by-Baumschlager-Eberle-Architectes-01.jpg)
The law courts of Caen redefines a new domain of urban planning in the centre of the City. The original design from the office of Christian Hauvette& associés was revised by Baumschlager Eberle Architectes together with the Atelier Pierre Champenois a former partner of Christian Hauvette.
![Palais de Justice Caen](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Palais-de-Justice-Caen-by-Baumschlager-Eberle-Architectes-02.jpg)
It comes with a simple geometry which comprises several duties and responsibilities: the cube underlines the importance of jurisdiction by the means of its architectural form. The fundamental necessity of justice and the ele- mentary methods of architecture correspond with each other as is the long tradition in Europe.
![Palais de Justice Caen](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Palais-de-Justice-Caen-by-Baumschlager-Eberle-Architectes-03.jpg)
The cube also clearly reflects its location and surroundings. The building and its public spaces constitute a self-confident district within an area which is under development. An orthogonal pattern constitutes the base for the internal organisation of the law courts. The main rooms are adja- cent to the facades; the corridors throughout the building always terminate at the facades.
![Palais de Justice Caen](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Palais-de-Justice-Caen-by-Baumschlager-Eberle-Architectes-04.jpg)
This results in good lighting and comfortable working areas. But this pattern involves more than a pragmatic and optimized organisation of the building – it involves an experience of interior space. The circular centre spans all 5 floors; it is the heart of the law courts, a landmark and also a parameter for the interior area.
![Palais de Justice Caen](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Palais-de-Justice-Caen-by-Baumschlager-Eberle-Architectes-05.jpg)
A horizontal band highlights the first floor where the court rooms are located. In so doing, the new law courts of Caen in Northern France communicate a message both to its users and to pedestrians: transparency, stringent shape and essential architectural means.
![Palais de Justice Caen](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Palais-de-Justice-Caen-by-Baumschlager-Eberle-Architectes-06.jpg)
Therefore it is not so far away from what a European civilisation expects from jurisdiction. But our civilisation today expects even more from a building – it should simply add to the longevity of our world.
![Palais de Justice Caen](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Palais-de-Justice-Caen-by-Baumschlager-Eberle-Architectes-07.jpg)
The buildings sustainable strategy is driven by two axis: the project offers both high comfort to the users and opti- mal energy performance. The passive and active strategies ensure the building achieves low energy consumption: a very compact volume, a double skin façade system and a bioclimatic atrium which helps to reduce heat loss while increasing thermal inertia.
![Palais de Justice Caen](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Palais-de-Justice-Caen-by-Baumschlager-Eberle-Architectes-08.jpg)
This project is part of the Ministry of Justice’s goals to provide the courts a contemporary environment, corresponding to the current requirements of functionality, safety and serenity, while providing optimal public reception conditions. Source by Baumschlager Eberle Architectes.
![Palais de Justice Caen](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Palais-de-Justice-Caen-by-Baumschlager-Eberle-Architectes-09.jpg)
- Location: Rue Dumont d‘Urville, Caen, France
- Architect: Baumschlager Eberle
- Project lead: Anne Speicher
- In Charge of Project: Manon Vaillé
- Project Team: Charlotte Chebassier, Benjamin Grousselas, Jean-Marie Lesène, Marc-Antoine Servella, Mihaela Stanescu
- Partner: atelier d‘architecture pierre champenois
- Landscape Architect: Sempervirens paysagiste
- Energy Concept: Egis Concept – Elioth
Montreuil, F - Housing technology: Egis bâtiments, Centre-Ouest Ifs
- Client: Ministère de la Justice, APIJ Paris, Cicobail, Caisse d‘Epargne, Normandie Charenton-le-Pont
- Site area: 9.000 m2
- Building footprint: 2.097 m2
- Gross floor area: 8.840 m2
- Net floor area: 5.800 m2
- Primary Energy Consumption: heating, cooling, auxiliary
energy, lighting 51 kwh/ m²/a (RT2012° - Completion: July 2015
- Photographs: Eduard Hueber (archphoto.com), Vincent Fillon, Courtesy of Baumschlager Eberle Architectes
![Palais de Justice Caen](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Palais-de-Justice-Caen-by-Baumschlager-Eberle-Architectes-10.jpg)
![Palais de Justice Caen](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Palais-de-Justice-Caen-by-Baumschlager-Eberle-Architectes-11.jpg)
![Palais de Justice Caen](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Palais-de-Justice-Caen-by-Baumschlager-Eberle-Architectes-12.jpg)
![Palais de Justice Caen](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Palais-de-Justice-Caen-by-Baumschlager-Eberle-Architectes-13.jpg)