Courts of law are projections of civic power into the built environment. States have traditionally expressed themselves with monumentality, with its implications of permanence, but modern government aspires to transparency, which society also expects. Five projects demonstrate how architects address these tensions, among them the Paris Courthouse by Renzo Piano Building Workshop and the Palace of Justice in Córdoba by Mecanoo + AYESA.

In addition, five recently completed cultural warehouses by KOKO Architects, Franklin Azzi, and others show how various design strategies can be implemented in the conversion of industrial buildings to other functions.

Courts of law are projections of civic power into the built environment. States have traditionally expressed themselves with monumentality, with its implications of permanence, but modern government aspires to transparency, which society also expects. Five projects demonstrate how architects address these tensions, among them the Paris Courthouse by Renzo Piano Building Workshop and the Palace of Justice in Córdoba by Mecanoo + AYESA.

In addition, five recently completed cultural warehouses by KOKO Architects, Franklin Azzi, and others show how various design strategies can be implemented in the conversion of industrial buildings to other functions.