Palace of Justice, Antwerp, Belgium
The new, 78,000 m2 Palace of Justice (Justitiepaleis) in Antwerp, Belgium accommodates eight law courts, with 36 courtrooms, a library, offices and a central public area known as the Salle des Pas Perdus. All this is topped off with a breathtaking six-pointed crystalline roof in an allusion to the boats on the nearby River Scheldt. Here, the glass represents a transparent justice system resolutely focused on serving the public. In opting for glass, the architects sought to take advantage of its many benefits: heat and solar control, natural light, fire resistance, acoustic insulation, transparency and interconnectedness – but also privacy where appropriate.
AGC glazings can be seen everywhere in this project. Pyrobel was used for the double-glazed courtroom ceilings with their combination of EI60-rated fire resistance and outstanding acoustic insulation, while matt Pyrobel glass was integrated into the design of the partitions and doors for extra privacy.
