Østre landsret: a new high court for Copenhagen

Alex Poulsen Architects served as a sub-consultant to Henning Larsen Architects in the winning competition for the new Østre Landsret, which was built on a compact site in Copenhagen’s Nordhavn. With extensive experience in public buildings with complex functional requirements, APA provided expertise in robustness, high security, future-proofing, and flexibility, ensuring that the new court meets the highest standards for both functionality and architectural quality.

Flow and security

The design of the new high court required a meticulous approach to security and movement, ensuring that all users experience clear and controlled access. APA played a key role in optimizing the building’s flow, access points, and circulation patterns, safeguarding the safety of judges, jurors, witnesses, and defendants by ensuring they do not cross paths before entering the courtroom. This careful planning is essential in upholding the integrity and operational efficiency of the judicial process.

Rooms for reflection

Beyond its judicial function, the court building integrates spaces for reflection, offering users moments of quiet contemplation. These areas take shape through seating zones, balconies, courtyards, and carefully framed views over the water, providing a sense of openness and tranquillity in an otherwise highly structured environment. The inclusion of these elements reflects an understanding that a courthouse is not just a place of legal proceedings, but also a space where individuals process significant and often life-changing events.