Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law
The main building entrance is from the Square in keeping with the design and cultural tradition of Brisbane’s most prominent civic buildings. This provides the building with a ceremonial address. The Courts varied landscapes include a lawn open space, a ‘deep soil’ area provided for a grove of Poincianas, a decomposed granite area and other landscaped areas all above a podium structure. Waterproofing, drainage, and soil composition have required careful technical resolution to maximise opportunities for root growth and permeable drainage.
The Poinciana feature trees are a culturally iconic tree of Southeast Queensland, celebrated for their “umbrella” like form and their spectacular red flowers. They shade a decomposed granite-paved space with custom designed precast concrete seats. The decomposed granite was selected for its colour and as a more ‘relaxed’ surface option than traditional hard paving.
The landscape scope includes internal and external gardens, and courtyards throughout the building that respond to the character of the sub-tropical environment and promote healthy workplaces. Upper levels of the Court have ‘sky gardens’ of floating hardwood decks, stainless steel planter boxes and vine-laden stainless steel cable trellises. Extending up 9 storeys high, the trellises are ‘living art’, casting a swathe of greenery through the building.
Stage A works included the refurbishment and extension of an existing two-storey classroom block as well as the construction of a new covered walkway through the centre of the school.
PROCESS
Working in collaboration with Architectus, Guymer Bailey provided design for the custodial areas of the Shepparton Law Courts as well as input into resolving the complex circulation paths throughout the building.
METHODOLOGY
The brick building base honours the memory of the older country court houses, while the new five-storey courts building provides a contemporary expression for the open and transparent delivery of justice. This continues through to the lobby, which is inspired by the ancient River Red Gum, and provides a warm welcoming meeting place.
AWARDS
2013
Australian Institute of Architects
Public Architecture Category – National Award
2013
Australian Institute of Architects
Public Architecture Category – Brisbane Regional Commendation
2012
Queensland Master Builders
Award for Innovation in Environmental Management – Winner
TRADITIONAL CUSTODIANS OF THE LAND
The Yuggera People
COMPLETION
2012 (in association with Architectus)
LOCATION
Brisbane, Queensland
CLIENT
Queensland Government
PROJECT CONTACT
PHOTOGRAPHY
John Gollings
VALUE OUTCOMES
“GB-A were an absolute pleasure to work with. The team on site and in the office never cut corners and were committed to delivering a very high quality project.”
Jim Spainard, Golburn Enterprise
Designing for a sustainable future is a core part of our organisational philosophy. Drawing on the knowledge from our Greenstar accredited team members and specialist consultants in environmentally sustainable design, we ensure our project teams integrate creativity with scientific rigour, to create designs that are conscientious of the natural environment and local ecology. Designing for a sustainable future is a core part of our organisational philosophy.
PRINCIPLES OF PASSION
During the design process, our project team not only considers the physical context of the designs but also examines the social and cultural context. Through every design, we look for ways to inspire positive attitudes, behaviours and emotional responses in people to encourage the responsible use of resources, increase cooperation among occupants, and communicate the values of society and cultural diversity.
Designing for a sustainable future is a core part of our organisational philosophy. Drawing on the knowledge from our Greenstar accredited team members and specialist consultants in environmentally sustainable design, we ensure our project teams integrate creativity with scientific rigour, to create designs that are conscientious of the natural environment and local ecology.
We design built environments from a holistic, sustainable perspective: each project reconciles ecological and social impacts within the current economic climate. We holistically evaluate environmental, cultural and financial sustainability in every task we undertake.