The new courthouse is constructed on the Parnassusweg. The courthouse had to be highly visible, recognisable, authoritative and functional as the authorities believe this is the best way to cultivate trust in the court’s decisions and the rule of law. It is a distinguished building, although at the same time, it has a strikingly transparent and accessible look and feel.

Temporary courthouse

In 1999, discussion was initiated regarding the relocation of the Amsterdam courthouse, as the existing complex was no longer up to the standards of the modern era and renovation was not an option. In 2010, the decision was made to build a new courthouse in the same location in Zuidas. To ensure the construction work wouldn’t obstruct the course of justice, a temporary courthouse was put into use at the end of 2016. For the following years, this is where justice would be done in combination with the listed section of the old building. The temporary courthouse was designed to be as easy to assemble as it is to disassemble and reassemble.

New building

Public Space

Parties involved

The new courthouse is to be developed, built and managed via a public-private collaboration: the consortium NACH (New Amsterdam Court House) is responsible for the design, construction, funding, maintenance and operation of the new building. NACH is a collaboration between Macquarie Capital, ABT, DVP, KAAN, Heijmans and Facilicom.

Sustainability

The Amsterdam courthouse has plenty of trees, flowers and plants, although they are planted in real gardens rather than keeping them in flower pots and plant boxes in the corner of the room. Wooden benches and a pond will be installed in the forecourt, while on the square, deep planting boxes have been installed for flowering trees. An enclosed garden extends deep into the heart of the courthouse, adorning the central hall with trees that are interspersed with statues. In the areas cleared to allow natural light into the first floor of the basement, sunken gardens have been installed, the most spectacular of which are the vertical gardens in the large patios in the office wing.

Additional information