Palacio de Justica de Gouveia / Barbosa & Guimaraes Architects

Palacio de Justica de Gouveia / Barbosa & Guimaraes Architects - Facade, WindowsPalacio de Justica de Gouveia / Barbosa & Guimaraes Architects - LightingPalacio de Justica de Gouveia / Barbosa & Guimaraes Architects - Windows, FacadePalacio de Justica de Gouveia / Barbosa & Guimaraes Architects - Windows, BeamPalacio de Justica de Gouveia / Barbosa & Guimaraes Architects - More Images+ 40

Text description provided by the architects. This project takes advantage of the demolition of the existing building, which occupied the whole of the plot, to design a new Plaza, with a scale and dignity to receive the Law Courts. In dialogue with the granite walls that define its surroundings, the Plaza takes on the form of a bottling of stone, upon which the Law Courts rest.

Palacio de Justica de Gouveia / Barbosa & Guimaraes Architects - Windows, Facade
© José Campos, arqf architectural photography

The building, set on four pillars, ensures transparency and connection between the two gardens that delimit it to the north and the south. The dignity and symbolism that a building like the Law Courts should always have is achieved at the cost of the monolithic and singular character that the volume of white concrete acquires, above all in the expression of its compact elevations, with empty spaces deeply excavated, as if suspended over the Plaza.

Palacio de Justica de Gouveia / Barbosa & Guimaraes Architects - Facade
© José Campos, arqf architectural photography

A staircase of generous proportions opening onto a patio honours access to the Court floor. The lobby/foyer crosses longitudinally the entirety of the building, communicating directly with the garden to the north, establishing a relationship of closeness with the tops of the existing trees through a horizontal empty space.

Palacio de Justica de Gouveia / Barbosa & Guimaraes Architects - Windows, Facade
© José Campos, arqf architectural photography

In the volume, the courtroom stands out, with a set of vertical skylights that subtly light the whole space. The registrars services, which operate independently, are installed in the filled part of the building, open to an interior patio which communicates directly with the north garden. The project foresees a public car park, hidden under the plaza, with access from the adjacent streets.

Palacio de Justica de Gouveia / Barbosa & Guimaraes Architects - Image 22 of 45
© José Campos, arqf architectural photography

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Project location

Address:6290 Gouveia, Portugal

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Palacio de Justica de Gouveia / Barbosa & Guimaraes Architects" 01 Jun 2011. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/139867/palacio-de-justica-de-gouveia-barbosa-guimaraes-architects> ISSN 0719-8884

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