Ateliers 2/3/4/ . photos: © Charly Broyez . © WeAreContents
To provide the urban monumentality required of a judicial institution and the serenity necessary to handle delicate cases that affect people’s lives, the new Béziers Court is seen as stacks of three layers of rock. At each level, steps and patios locate between these quarry blocks. The stepped masses encourage daylight to enter, creating internal landscapes, like an oasis.
They protect the premises from any intrusive view. As such, security of the facades and confidentiality are attained with ease.
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The transparency of the foyers gives glimpses of the shady central patio garden, planted with tree ferns, that accesses and links the public waiting areas and courtrooms.
Built-in furniture within public areas and office furniture have been designed to ensure comfort and to fit in perfectly with the volumes of the reception and work areas.
Monochrome, through its irregularities the sandblasted and hammered concrete gives a rustic material strength and thickness. A symbol of justice, the parvis is here an antechamber, the sheltered outside institution; open to urban life it soothes, protects and welcomes.
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Location: Béziers, 93, avenue du Président Wilson / 34500 Béziers / France
Client: APIJ (Agence Publique pour l’Immobilier de la Justice) Cyril Royer
Design Team
Architect: Ateliers 2/3/4/, mandatory
Christine Edeikins, Partner, Architect
Team: Sylvain Rety (Project Manager, competition), Camille Etivant (Project Manager, studies), Louis Gilbert (Project Manager, studies), Franck Tillequin (Lead architect, director of the Montpellier office), Cristina Sanchez (Project Manager, contruction site)
Consultant Engineer: CET, Frédéric Ménière
Landscape designer: Tournesol, Francis Farges
Interior and furniture design: Guliver design, Bruno Tainturier
SOGEA SUD: General contractor mandatory
SNEF: Electricity
Thermatic: Heating, ventilation system, plumbing
Project Brief: Construction of the new Court House: High Court, County Court, Commercial court, Employment tribunal
Ground Area: 4 345 m²
Floor Area: 8 057 m²
Programme: Design Competition (September 2011)
Contract Sum: 16.5M€ excl.VAT (2016)
