March 18, 2008

Zaha Hadid Reintreprets the Courthouse in Madrid

We’re intrigued by Zaha Hadid’s latest design, a 74,500 square meter cylindrical building planned as part of the Campus de la Justicia at Valdebebas in Madrid. The proposed plan for the civil court includes a latticed exterior comprised of metallic panels that create a double ventilation system that will move (open and close) depending on the environmental conditions. And naturally, the metal panels on the roof will include integrated photovoltaic cells for harnessing solar energy.

Inside, a public courtyard is overlooked by a spiraling semi-circular atrium that helps with the diffusion of natural light throughout the building and into the court rooms.

The courthouse should be completed by 2010.

[via Inhabitat]

Article categories: Architecture, Design, Environmental, Trends In Europe