New Palace of Justice, Antwerp

The New Palace of Justice in Antwerp serves as a law court building, sited where the Antwerp-South railway station once stood. This architectural landmark, inaugurated on March 28, 2006, features a unique design by the Richard Rogers Partnership in collaboration with VK Studio and Arup.

Strategically located in the south of Antwerp's city center, the building is an exemplar of modern architectural thought, emphasizing transparency and human scale in its design. The structure sprawls out from a central public reception area, known as the Hall of Lost Steps, which is the nucleus for six radiating wings that accommodate offices and courtrooms. The entrance, located above the tram lines at Bolivarplaats, features a grand staircase leading to the central hall. This square and the adjacent Hall of Lost Steps are the complex's most public areas, with secure zones situated further inside.

Spanning one underground and five above-ground levels, the New Palace of Justice houses eight district civil and criminal courts, alongside offices for judges and lawyers, a library, a dining room, and chambers. The design, awarded to the Richard Rogers Partnership, aimed to create a building that resonates with the city's scale while providing an efficient and symbolic judicial environment.

Originally conceptualized in the 1980s to centralize judicial offices for enhanced efficiency, construction began in 2001 after the site of the demolished Zuid station was chosen in 1990. The architecture features sail-like roofs on large courts and smaller-scaled roofs on the wings, emphasizing its butterfly-like extension while ensuring ample natural light through extensive use of glass.

The New Palace of Justice stands as a modern judicial icon, combining functional, ecological, and aesthetic values to serve and symbolize the city of Antwerp.