The Moorabbin Justice Centre is a multi-purpose facility which includes the Magistrates’ Court, Children’s Court, multipurpose courtrooms for Koori Court and VCAT hearings, community correctional services, sheriff’s office, police prosecutions and custody centre.
The design defuses the traditional formality and stress associated with the delivery of justice through the layering of space – from forecourt to entry, enclosed courtrooms and transparent public spaces giving tangible and transparent access to justice, sending a message that justice is available to all. The subtle use of materials, colour and light contribute to a relaxed internal environment for what can be a stressful experience for many, including staff.
The building design adopts and extends a sustainable approach initiated by the clients’ environmental management systems with the result being the Justice Department’s most environmentally sustainable building on its completion. Many alternative environmental systems for a high performance building were adopted, delivering public spaces that operate without conventional air-conditioning.
Photography: Mark Munro Photography