Nouveau Palais de Justice Lille

Our proposal for the Nouveau Palais de Justice in Lille introduces a monumental yet transparent landmark to the city’s urban belt. Designed to reinforce the spatial structure of the surrounding greenery, the project establishes new urban axes connecting the center of Lille, La Madeleine, and Euralille. More than a civic institution, it serves as a point of attraction within a revitalized park, replacing traditional defensive barriers with an inviting public esplanade and a serene reflecting pool.

The architectural concept is defined by a simple rectangular volume articulated by a rhythmic sequence of slender columns. Following a classical tripartite composition—comprising a solid base, a transparent bel-étage, and a robust crown—the building expresses the dignity and stability of judicial power through a contemporary language of lightness. A unique “veil” of metallic elements covers the glass facade; from a distance, it appears as a regular pattern, but as one approaches, human silhouettes emerge, symbolizing the social solidarity of justice at the service of all human beings

Inside, the building is organized around a dramatic “cascade” of auditoriums that rise through the central space. This public mountain allows visitors to immediately perceive the organization of the courts while providing panoramic views of the park from the surrounding corridors. The upper “crown” houses the office environments, arranged around a lush interior roof garden that brings natural light deep into the heart of the building.

Sustainability and longevity are embedded in the material choices and technical design. The facade utilizes off-white natural stone, varying in texture to create a play of light and shadow, while the interior features warm oak and light green stone. The flexible structural grid, based on a 1.35m module, ensures the building can evolve to meet future institutional needs.