The Constitutional Court of South Africa sits at 11 Kotze Street on Constitution Hill in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. The article names no architect, client or style. The court moved from commercial offices to this purpose-built complex, and its first session there was held in February 2004.
Most of the former prison on the site was demolished, but the stairwells were kept. The new building used bricks from the demolished awaiting-trial wing. In the main courtroom a row of horizontal windows behind the judges sits at head height inside and at ground level outside, so those inside can see passersby's feet.
The atrium holds over 200 contemporary artworks chosen by Justice Albie Sachs. The doors carry the 27 rights of the Bill of Rights in 11 of the 12 official languages. A neon sculpture by Thomas Mulcaire spells A luta continua in a stairwell from 1902. The public may attend sessions and view the atrium gallery.
Comments