Law Courts Manchester, northwest England

Location: Spinningfields District, Manchester, England, UK photographs : Tim Griffith MANCHESTER CIVIL JUSTICE CENTRE 1 Bridge Street West, Manchester, M3 3FX, United Kingdom Manchester Civil Justice Centre : Stirling Prize Shortlist 2008 photo © webbaviation Architect Denton Corker Marshall’s unique design for the Manchester Civil Justice Centre (MCJC) was chosen by the client – HER MAJESTY’S COURT SERVICE – as the international competition-winning design for the Ministry of Justice in the North West of England. The building is the largest court complex to be built in the UK since the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand. photographs : Tim Griffith The courts are expressed as long rectilinear forms, articulated at each floor level, and projecting at each end of the building as a varied composition of solid and void. In side elevation, these elements collectively establish a dynamic and distinctive building profile; in end elevation, they form a powerful sculptural interplay of light and shade, depth and complexity. The architectural implication is that the courts are not forbidding or concealed, but open and accessible. The building houses 47 courtrooms, 75 consultation rooms, in addition to office and support space over 15 levels. Sustainability has been a major consideration from initial concept with natural ventilation to all areas. The use of local and sustainable materials and suppliers was targeted during construction, helping to achieve a BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’. photographs : Tim Griffith Manchester Law Courts architects : Denton Corker Marshall Mies van der Rohe Award Nominee 2009 Manchester Civil Justice Centre Awards ROSES DESIGN AWARDS architecture grand prix gold award ROSES DESIGN AWARDS architect of the year - stephen quinlan, denton corker marshall ROSES DESIGN AWARDS best public building gold award ROYAL INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIAN ARCHITECTS jorn utzon award for international architecture PROPERTY WEEK north west property awards best design led project 2007 MANCHESTER CITY COUNCIL built in quality award 2007 in recognition of high quality construction MANCHESTER CITY COUNCIL built in quality award 2007 in recognition of the environmentally sustainable construction MANCHESTER CITY COUNCIL green construction award 2007 major project of the year GREEN CONSTRUCTION AWARDS - CONSTRUCTION NEWS major project of the year IStructE 2008 NORTH WEST REGIONAL STRUCTURAL AWARDS award for large projects NORTH WEST REGIONAL CONSTRUCTION AWARDS project of the year RIBA REGIONAL north west regional award RIBA NATIONAL AWARD national award BUILDING MAGAZINE PROJECT AWARDS building project of the year ASSOCIATION OF CONSULTING ENGINEERS (ACE) engineering excellence award sustainability MANCHESTER SOCIETY OF ARCHITECTS AWARDS community and overall winner INSIDER PROPERTY AWARDS north west architect of the year SOCIETY OF ENVIRONMENTAL GRAPHIC DESIGN USA wayfinding + signage 2008 merit award Shortlisted for Stirling Prize 2008 Manchester building photos © Adrian Welch 2006 Manchester Civil Justice Centre - Law Courts building Date built: 2006-07 Architects: Denton Corker Marshall Manchester building photos © Adrian Welch 2006 Manchester building photos © Matthew Ansell Sep 2006