Situation_
Cantabria, (Spain)
Date_
2008-2011
Area_
6.500 m2
Project and construction management_
Gádor de Carvajal, Juan Casariego y Liliana Obal
Client_
Consejería de Justicia del Gobierno de Cantabria
This project was carried out to unify the previously dispersed judicial offices of Torrelavega, in search of greater efficiency and modernisation of the Judicial Administration.
The design of the new judicial model is expressed through its formal clarity, the expansive volume of the building, and by means of a translucent/transparent façade which offers a direct relationship between the interior public space of the building and the surrounding townscape.
The project handles, with great flexibility, not only the space requirements of the different uses, but also the way in which these relate to each other. The internal circulation routes are compatible as much for the judges and civil servants as for the people in custody. The independent circuits for the free movement of the public thereby ensure that their safety and intimidation is never compromised. The intention is that at any time, anybody who uses the building feels comfortable, in that the building operates smoothly and is an attractive place to be.
The imposing lobby, which connects all the areas that are available to the public over the four floors, synthesizes the vocation of the project by expressing the nature of the public service it houses, in the hope of contributing to strengthening the prestige and confidence of the society. This is of undeniable importance to civic life and one of the basic pillars of democracy.