Location: Spinningfields District, Manchester, England, UK



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.



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’.





Manchester Law Courts architects : Denton Corker Marshall

Awards won to date:

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

Law Courts building
Architects: Denton Corker Marshall
Date built: 2006-07


Manchester building photos © Adrian Welch 2006


Manchester building photos © Matthew Ansell Sep 2006

Other examples of Manchester Architecture welcome: info@e-architect.co.uk



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info@e-architect.co.uk

Manchester Law Courts - page : adrian welch / isabelle lomholt