A courthouse that wears its roofline like a flock of white sails—civic authority, but make it airborne.
Building in Antwerp, Belgium.
Featured in Richard Rogers's definitive monograph, Richard Rogers: Complete Works.
Visitor Guide
Stand on Bolivarplaats and don’t rush: wait for a tram to slide through the foreground—the building was designed to be read as part of the city’s infrastructure theater.
Bolivarplaats, aligned with the main stair toward the ‘salle des pas perdus’, mid-morning for clean roof highlights without harsh contrast.
Working courthouse: public areas may be accessible when courts are in session, but expect security screening and restricted zones; the safest plan is an exterior + entry hall glimpse if allowed.
The famous ‘butterfly’ roof isn’t just a gesture—it’s a daylight strategy for civic interiors, turning a bureaucratic program into a luminous public room.
30–60 minutes
Design & Structure
High-tech civic architecture: the project uses a clear diagram (radiating court wings around a central hall) with environmental intent—daylight, ventilation, and legibility—coordinated through multi-discipline engineering and detailed roof geometry rationalization.
Glass and steel paired with pale roof elements; transparency is used as a political statement—justice as something you can literally see into (at least in the public zones).
The repeated roof ‘sails’ require careful long-span design and drainage/detailing; the building’s structural logic supports a central hall that behaves like an indoor urban square.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed Palace of Justice, Antwerp?+
Palace of Justice, Antwerp was designed by Richard Rogers. It is located in Antwerp, Belgium.
Where is Palace of Justice, Antwerp located?+
Palace of Justice, Antwerp is located in Antwerp, Belgium. Its coordinates are 51.2039°, 4.3875°.
Can I visit Palace of Justice, Antwerp?+
Palace of Justice, Antwerp is a real building in Antwerp that can be viewed from the outside. Check local information for interior access and visiting hours. Use the Parametric Atlas walking tour feature to plan a route that includes this building.