The double storey waiting room, inspired by the Asplund town hall extension in Gothenburg, faces Lake Munksjön on the upper floor. The staircase, clearly announced in the facade, conveys openness and accessibility. The warm, wood-clad interior with soft shapes contrasts to the hard, colder exterior. The round staircase adds a sculptural effect to the room. From a distance, walls look veneered. Up close, six pieces of legal text are revealed, printed in different colors on MDF boards. Complex logistics guarantee the highest possible legal security and personal protection, preventing parties from meeting outside the courtroom. As part of the court’s new working methods, testimonies can be recorded and used in higher courts, making courtrooms advanced technology-intensive recording studios.
The courthouse is part of a comprehensive reorganization within Sveriges Domstolar (the courts of Sweden) to create more modern, secure and accessible courts. As a democratic society cornerstone, the new courthouse, like its predecessor, plays a central role in the city and explicitly has to express dignity and independence.
