New Supreme Court
What is the role of architecture in upholding justice and democracy?
Manila, Philippines
Competition Finalist
For this project, we designed a new Supreme Court building for the Philippines that responds to the complex operational needs of the justice system while offering a public symbol of unity and pride that embodies local history, culture, and place. The building is a 3-dimensional hyperbolic loop hanging over a botanical garden whose form represents the complex functional interconnections required by contemporary courthouses. The building’s rectangular volumes are combined into a single integrated work environment punctuated by gardens and terraces.
TRIBAL FUTURISM: CONTEMPORARY APPROACH, VERNACULAR FORMS
The design reinterprets Filipino vernacular architecture using a contemporary design language, innovative building technologies, and new materials to offer a new vision of Filipino architecture rooted in heritage and tradition.
BUILDING COMMUNITY
The Supreme Court is as much a center of community and civic life as the justice system. Botanical gardens, arboretums, and an orchid walk offer distinguished public spaces that integrate the building into the surrounding city.
- SIZE: 462,816 SQF
- PROJECT TEAM: Carlos Arnaiz, Yuan Jin, Laura Del Pino, Kelvin Tseng, Craig Sinclair, Lauren Kirk, Gaby San Roman, Luis Lopez Soriano, Simran Singh, Valentina Buratti, Jiajun Zhang, Ignacio Revenga
- CLIENT: Supreme Court of the Philippines
- CONSULTANTS: ARUP, NSI Architecture Planner Consultancy, Landstyle