AIA Awards recognise Alice Springs Courthouse for Public Architecture

Taking home the Award for Public Architecture at the Northern Territory Architecture Awards last week, was Susan Dugdale and Associates with Architectus for the transformation of the Alice Springs Courthouse.

The Alice Springs Courthouse comprises a substantial refurbishment of the former Alice Springs Supreme Court Building into a dedicated Local Court. The existing 2-storey 1970s brutalist concrete building has been transformed from an imposing introverted facility into an open light filled place connected to the street and community.

The design philosophy has been based on a community-justice centre model where client support services are visible and easily available.

Architectus National Public Sector Leader, Stephen Long commented, “It was fantastic collaborating with Susan Dugdale and Associates on this distinctive project that has created a thoughtful and positive outcome for Alice Springs. The project team combined Architectus’ extensive court design experience with Sue’s longstanding design leadership in the Northern Territory.”

The Awards jury commended the architects for having made a series of bold strategic decisions, which have fundamentally reorganised the floorplate. These include: the relocation of the building core; the insertion of a central legible public stair; the expansion and introduction of natural light to waiting areas and the relocation of previously internalised courtrooms to provide the majority with natural daylight and views.

View the 2021 NT Architecture Awards results here.