|
Stratford Magistrates Court
This new 19-court building was based on
Home Office design guides and developed through
discussions with the Newham Magistrates' Courts
Committee.
The
brief required the complete separation of various
courthouse areas, which are used by magistrates,
court staff, police, defendants in custody and
members of the public. To meet this requirement
the architects chose to evolve a simple plan
form, which can be immediately understood by
first-time visitors to the building.
Facilities,
which are used by the public, are grouped around
a two-storey rotunda, placed just inside the
main entrance on the High Street. Enquiry desks
and the accounts office public counter are located
within this space and there is direct access
to the courthalls, which form waiting areas
for members of the public who are attending
court.
Construction
of the courthous is around an in-situ reinforced
concrete frame, in accordance with Home Office
requirements for a structure, which can withstand
bomb blast. The building is clad externally
in hand-made brick and reconstituted Bath-stone
blockwork (designed specifically for this project)
in order to integrate it with adjoining Edwardian
buildings, which form part of a conservation
area. The front façade is intended to
be a landmark at a point defined by local planners
as a 'gateway' into the centre of Stratford.
Throughout
the courthouse, natural lighting and ventilation
have been introduced wherever possible and air
conditioning is employed only in
court rooms and in offices located on the high
street frontage where traffic noise is a problem.
A computerised Building Management System ensures
optimum use of energy throughout the building.
|
|
|
Entrance |
|
|
|
Exterior |
|
|
|
Exterior |
|
