We are working on a new design for the monumental Hof van Justitie in Curacao! A large-scale project in Willemstad of which we are working together with ir. Anko van der Woude (IMD) on the renovation of this building.
The renovation was commissioned by the Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management (VVRP), the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Justice. With our design we will restore the monumental building to its former glory. Non-historic sections of the building will be replaced with modern office spaces, underneath we’ll create an open structure as part of a new waterfront promenade. With heritage, safety, and accessibility at its core, this large-scale renovation will ensure a bright future for the Courthouse.
About the building
Gemeenschappelijk Hof van Justitie is the former old city hall, built in 1860. This was the first building to be built outside the fortified city walls. With its rich history, the monument has played an essential role in the judiciary and government of the Dutch Caribbean islands. Over the years, several renovations have been carried out to keep the building functional. However, poor air conditioning, mold and an outdated layout have led to the building being empty for quite some time now. With our design we want to carefully restore this monument. Elements that match the heritage character will be retained. Some of those elements will be given a new function. For example, the old holding cells will be repurposed for technical facilities.
At the same time, the outdated 1980s part will be replaced by sustainable, future-proof structures. Instead of a overbearing, solid block on the side of the fort we’ve designed three separate wings. These will house offices for employees. Employees and visitors will have their own entrance in order to enhance security and efficiency.
Becoming part of the city
The new design prioritizes not only functionality but also the integration of the building into the urban fabric. We will connect Wilhelminaplein with Waterfort, which will make it easy to walk from one side to the other through the passage between the two stairs. When walking from Wilhelminaplein you’ll exit beneath the new structures where we’ve created an open passageway that runs along the entire building. This way the building will become part of a waterfront promenade, making a livelier and more accessible environment. We’re also creating more green public spaces where people can sit down, relax and enjoy the city.
The historical character of the building and its surroundings is leading. Even with the new additions the historical elements continue to be present. As you can see we’ve integrated historical elements like the fort’s arches into the contemporary design.
Next up
Demolition and construction work are set to begin in 2026. In order to make this project part of the community in the coming years, we will organize tours, together with Gemeenschappelijk Hof van Justitie and IMD, during the restoration. This way, Curacaoans can already take a look inside during renovation and learn more about the repurposing of their special heritage. We’ll announce the dates for the tours via our website, or check the project-website.
