EAHN THEMATIC GROUP

Judicial architecture

The Judicial Architecture Thematic Group was first proposed at the EAHN's 2007 Annual Meeting in Delft. Group activities focus on the study of courthouse architecture in Europe from antiquity to the present, including both research and documentation. The group further seeks to explore ideals such as Justice and Governance as expressed in architecture over many centuries in a pan-European context. Projects in planning include a conference, an exhibition, and a publication.

Unifying Study Project for Architectural History

Judicial architecture is a building type common to all European countries. Even if the well-known and widespread neoclassical palace of justice dates only from the nineteenth century, the history of sites where justice has been rendered in fact begins much earlier. To investigate European architecture through places of justice thus implies returning to the origins of judicial practice on the one hand, and extending one's scope across all of Europe on the other. The project therefore involves architectural historians of all periods and regions.

A Topic Useful for European Governance

In addition, a thorough knowledge of these buildings will allow the discipline of architectural history to demonstrate that it can help inform contemporary choices in construction and architectural design, far from limiting itself to issues related to architectural heritage. At a time when international jurisdictions are proliferating, reflection on the functions and symbols marking places of justice in different European regions, as well as comparison of European traditions with those in other regions of the world, constitute invaluable resources for the clients as well as the designers involved in the conception of new international courts.

Cooperation with the European Court of Justice

Accordingly, the EAHN has been requested by the European Court of Justice to participate in the preparation of an exhibition which is being prepared on the architecture of European Supreme Courts. The Thematic Group on Judicial Architecture is currently working on introductory and concluding texts for this exhibition, which will open in late March 2009 in connection with the festivities celebrating the inauguration of the new Court of Justice building in Luxembourg designed by Dominique Perrault.

Research Perspectives

Defining a research program financed by the European Union could highlight the importance of scholarly study of judicial architecture not only for agencies which finance research, but also for those responsible for cultural heritage and the governance of Europe. The universities of Delft, Newcastle, and Paris 1 have expressed their willingness to sponsor such a project.

Contact

Initiator: Christine Mengin

For further information, or to join the group, please contact the EAHN office at office@eahn.org.