Back in 2006, Mecanoo placed first in an international competition with its winning proposal for a perforated courthouse in Córdoba, combining the area?s historical character with a modern twist. Now, after almost a decade, the Palace of Justice is set for completion later this year, having broken ground in 2015.

© Fernando Alda

Back in 2006, Mecanoo placed first in an international competition with its winning proposal for a perforated courthouse in Córdoba, combining the area?s historical character with a modern twist. Now, after almost a decade, the Palace of Justice is set for completion later this year, having broken ground in 2015.Inspired by Córdoba?s Moorish origins, the design balances a contemporary concrete mass with traditional exterior courtyard spaces; a reflection of the plan of the old city. These are faced by colored ceramic tiles, which break the façade?s uniformity.
© Fernando Alda

© Fernando Alda

Programmatically, the courthouse creates ascending levels of privacy, with the open ground floor accommodating public courtrooms, marriage registry, and a restaurant. Below this level reside the archives and the jail cells, while high-security offices occupy the uppermost floors.

© Fernando Alda

© Fernando Alda

According to Mecanoo, the Palace of Justice will be completed mid-2017. In addition to these new images of the project, check out this intriguing video that offers a ...