Haifa Court House by Chyutin Architects

Haifa is the main city in northern Israel, located on the shores of the Mediterranean, on the slopes of Mount Caramel. The work is in the center of the Haifa area, between two roads that define its limits. Lowest Avenue serves as the city’s main road, which connects the city of Haifa, northern Israel. The topography is unique. As a result, the positioning of the building has a “double face”, ie one hand off the mountain and the other facing the sea. The structure has two public entrances. The main entrance leads from the town square in the west directly to the input level. The secondary input of urban plaza on the eastern side of the structure leads to the lower level entrance.

Haifa Court House by Chyutin Architects


The main concept is directly related to the functional plan of the building, expressed a systematic approach, which refers to the structure and operational efficiency considerations exceeding the prestige or status of “factory of the law.”. The building consists of two blocks, functional and spatial characteristics. The southwest wing is purely judicial, along the upper street, contains the courtrooms and judges chambers. The northeast wing of this administration, along the main street below, with the administration of the various courts. The two wings define a monumental lobby, which is the link and bridge between them. From the lobby you enter the service area of ??general activity, including the law library, a restaurant and club of judges. A ceremonial staircase sweeping and wide, designed in the entrance hall leads to the main levels, overpasses and links to judicial and administrative wings at different levels.

The interior of the structure has been designed as an urban housing system. The court space entry is a continuation of the pedestrian street outside, which is defined by office buildings and shops along its length. The space is designed as a covered street, defined on its sides by the administrative and judicial wings. Public activities (the library and the restaurant) face the main space, as the shops on the main road.

Haifa Court House by Chyutin Architects1


Haifa Court House by Chyutin Architects2


Haifa Court House by Chyutin Architects3


Haifa Court House by Chyutin Architects4


The minor roads leading perpendicularly from the main space groups the areas of judicial and administrative service. The traffic of different groups in the building is based on the principle of separation of the routes of the different user groups: judges , staff and visitors.

The penetration of daylight in all rooms and chambers of judges “is a guiding principle in the choice of architectural solutions.” This principle dictated the division of the block related to the judicial wing into four judicial groups, each consisting of six courtrooms. The main entrance is illuminated by a skylight above.



Haifa Court House by Chyutin ArchitectsHaifa Court House by Chyutin Architects1Haifa Court House by Chyutin Architects2Haifa Court House by Chyutin Architects3Haifa Court House by Chyutin Architects4