Warren and Mahoney
Project Location:
Wellington
Categories:
Commercial Architectural Excellence, Interior Fit out
Project Description:
Timber is used as a dominant element in the design of the Supreme Court for its warmth and resilience in joinery, panelling and shelving. The use of Silver Beech in both veneer and solid form throughout the building creates continuity and unity through the various spaces. The panelling of the courtroom’s elliptical volume references the spiral diamond patterns of the native Kauri cone, which in turn affords the freedom to articulate panels in triangles and diamonds, and at different scales and tilts. The solid and veneer panels form both smooth and articulated surfaces, each designed for a specific acoustic function.
Timber shelving and office storage in the library and chambers creates an enclosing warmth to an area which is otherwise highly glazed. The concept of these timber elements being clearly separate from the external structure and glazing of the building, but forming a unified internal landscape, was an important aspect of the design.