Justice Center Bochum Outdoor facilities

The architects' design envisages a separate building complex for each authority, which together form the new justice centre and reorganise the site in terms of urban development. With the closed, block-like arrangement of the buildings on the outside, four courtyards of different sizes and uses are developed on the inside.

The largest, central inner courtyard is designed as a representative 'garden courtyard' with a high quality of stay.

Highly staggered plant beds form nested, small-scale garden spaces. They serve employees and visitors as meeting places and retreats during breaks. The beds of ornamental grasses and flowering shrubs are bordered with seating wall elements and form the atmospheric, horticultural character of the inner courtyard. Solitary trees, freely arranged across the courtyard and supported by spring geophytes, provide attractive seasonal aspects. The height gradations of the flower beds open up changing perspectives and spatial experiences. The paved courtyard frame is a circumferential pathway and at the same time offers space for gatherings and festivities.

The garden courtyard radiates balance, solidity and tranquility with its calm planting beds shaped in the golden ratio and balanced in height.

The same material edging, in interplay with the free distribution of trees and beds, allows for a variety of floral impressions in a unified design language.

The perimeter frame brings the open space elements together.

The smaller courtyards are used for access, delivery of goods and parking for cars and bicycles. A raised, hedge-lined cafeteria terrace provides outdoor seating.

These courtyards are businesslike and simple each constructed of asphalt or cast stone. They support the complex functionality of the administrative apparatus.