Court of Justice

We are working on the redevelopment of the Court of Justice (Hof van Justitie) in Curaçao, a large-scale project in which heritage and new construction come together. Together with ir. Anko van der Woude (IMD), we are restoring the monument to its former glory while preparing it for the future.

The 19th-century monument is being restored. Over the centuries, many restorations have been carried out that have “suffocated” the building. These are being carefully removed so that original elements become visible again. A wing from the 1980s is making way for four new-build wings. Beneath these new structures, an open passage will form part of a waterfront promenade. With heritage, safety, and accessibility at its core, the project ensures a sustainable future for the courthouse.

Context

The Court of Justice was originally built as the old city hall in 1860 and was the first building constructed outside the fortified city walls. Throughout its history, the building has played an important role in the judiciary and governance of the Dutch Caribbean.

Over time, outdated installations, poor climate control, and an inefficient layout eventually led to vacancy. The design focuses on careful restoration, preserving the historic character while upgrading the building for contemporary use. Original elements are retained wherever possible and given new functions—for example, the former holding cells will be repurposed for technical installations. Later additions from the 1980s will be replaced with sustainable, future-proof structures.

Creating a secure building

A good design begins with understanding the surroundings. A mobility study and analysis of movement patterns informed the design of new routes around the site. Between the two famous staircases (21 trapi) there will be passage, as a public walking route connecting Wilhelminaplein with the Waterfort. This intervention contributes to a more active and inviting public environment.

As mentioned, the monument is being restored. Space is also being added with new building wings. In total, seven courtrooms will be realized – two for criminal law and five for civil cases – all located on the first floor. Civil courtrooms are largely accommodated within the existing structure, while the criminal courtrooms are housed in a dedicated new wing that meets the highest security standards.

Detainees reach the courtrooms via a separate staircase and elevator. Visitors enter at Wilhelminaplein, pass through security screening, and follow a clearly defined route to the courtrooms. By doing extensive research into user movement we created a clear and efficient circulation strategy, with separate routes for staff, visitors, detainees, and the public prosecutor. This enhances safety, comfort, and efficiency.

Four new wings

Additional space for offices and workspaces of the courthouse staff is provided in the four new wings. Three of these are designed with a light-blue facade, to create a nice contrast with the historic yellow monument. The fourth wing is designed with different materials, to be more in line with the streetscape. This building accommodates the highest level of security, with a dedicated entrance for security staff and detainees.

Meeting is encouraged through carefully designed spaces, where variations in ceiling height highlight key areas. Informal meeting zones, terraces, and office gardens offer opportunities for both indoor and outdoor interaction. On the third floor of the central wing, a cafeteria with an outdoor terrace offers views over the Caribbean Sea for employees.

Planning

Preparatory works began in 2025, with the renovation of the historic building scheduled to start in 2026. The process will be documented through a series of video interviews during construction.