Courthouse of Poitiers / B+A ARCHITECTES

The layout of a courthouse is governed by a strong historical symbolism of monumentality, independence, and equity. It must also comply with strictly separated flows: the judge, the defendant, and the audience must be able to reach the courtrooms without crossing paths. It is a place designed for work, interaction, and settlement that requires both calm and dignity. In Poitiers, several courts were scattered throughout the city, making it difficult to work together efficiently. The Ministry of Justice decided to gather all jurisdictions under one roof and launched an architectural competition.