Verdict of Not Guilty for Salzburg Courthouse When It Comes to Sustainability
As part of a comprehensive refurbishment project, the courthouse in Salzburg not only parted with its old walls, but also with its time-honored architecture. The architecture firm Franz&Sue came up with a well thought-out new and radically different concept that did away with the regional court's authoritarian character and transformed it into an open space of encounter. Sustainability and a sensitivity to the needs of the many target groups associated with the courthouse were the overriding themes. The facade panels of the concrete specialist Rieder from Salzburg are not only in keeping with monument conservation standards, they also impress with their ecological footprint. The light concrete skin facade was used on the envelope of the new building. The durable concrete slabs complement the large glass surfaces and aesthetically tie in with the historic old building.
The building type of the law courts dates from the second half of the 19th century. At the time, such buildings were supposed to reflect the state's power. Today, our values have changed fundamentally – a court should now stand for continuity and accountability. "From an architectural point of view, we broke with the traditional understanding of justice and carefully but significantly modified the Salzburg courthouse with monument conservation in mind. Now this eye-catching justice center opens up to the city on all sides. Its inner courtyards, which can be accessed and marveled at by passers-by, showcase a new side of the court building. It is transparent and open, just the way we imagine the jurisdiction in a democracy to be", explains Christian Ambos, Franz&Sue Partner. The new building constitutes a balancing act between modernization, monument preservation and climate protection. Salzburg's justice center was transformed into a new public space for the city.