Brisbane Supreme & District Courts

10 February 2014

ACA – Qld’s first event for 2014 is a site tour of the new Brisbane Supreme and District Courts by Architectus and Guymer Bailey.

The recent Brisbane Supreme and District Courts (Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law) completes an inner city block creating a legal precinct comprising the existing Magistrates Courts and a new public Square with shade trees and a cafe.

Architectus (John Hocking and John Grealy) in conjunction with Guymer Bailey Architects (Ralph Bailey and Phillip Jackson) designed and documented this significant building. The new Courts building comprises 64,000 square metres of floor space over 17 floors at a cost of $600 million.

Guymer Bailey Landscape worked in association with AECOM’s landscape team on the landscaping including streetscape, Square and various deck plantings, trellises and greenwalls in Roma St and Basement 2 of the building.

The planning of the building is simple and legible utilising an L-shaped plan form. It is bounded by George, Roma and Herschel Streets and the new square off which the main public entrance is located. The extensive use of natural light and transparency is a key feature of this building. Unlike courts of the past, the Brisbane Supreme Court conveys a sense of lightness and transparency. All court rooms have natural light and controlled privacy which was accomplished using fritted glass and blinds within the double-skinned glass facade system.

The 17 storey building includes 39 courtrooms, including a large Ceremonial Court; accommodation for 69 judges over 4 floors; a library; mediation rooms; and various support/court services areas. Two basement levels accommodate 47 holding cells, service areas and car parking. Twenty-eight holding cells are located on the Courtroom floors. Internal and external gardens and courtyards throughout the building are important design elements reflecting the subtropical character of the building.

Sustainable design features include: the double glazed facade for sun and heat control; subfloor services and air conditioning to courtrooms; and green walls and cable vine trellises in the multi-level deck voids within the building.

Register early as places are limited.

Date:   Tuesday, 18 February 2014
Time:    3.45pm registration, 4.00pm to 6.00pm presentation, site tour and refreshments
Place:    Brisbane Supreme and District Courts,  Ground Floor Foyer, 415 George Street, Brisbane
Meeting point:  Click here –  * on the map near the Coffee Club
Parking:  Click here for car parking stations
Cost:      ACA and SPG Members: $40.00 p/p   Non-Members $60.00 p/p (incl. GST)
              (Pay for 3, 4th for free)
RSVP:    Click on the ‘RSVP’ link below to the registration form.

The site visit is supported by ACA – Qld’s 2014 corporate sponsors – Enware AustraliaKennedy’s Classic Aged TimbersStokes WheelerGWA Bathrooms and Kitchens and James Hardie.