Eleanor Finch
South Africa's Constitutional Court building in Johannesburg was first opened by President Nelson Mandela on 14 February 1995. However, it was housed in temporary accommodation for a decade, and the new court building on Constitution Hill was inaugurated in 2004. The site of the new building was previously occupied by the Old Fort prison complex, which was closed in 1983. The new court building was constructed using bricks from the demolished awaiting-trial wing of the former prison.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | 11 Kotze Street in Braamfontein, Johannesburg |
| Date of Inauguration | 22 March 2004 |
| Date of First Court Session | February 2004 |
| Date of First Opening | 14 February 1995 |
| Date of First Meeting | 1994 |
| Architects | Janina Masojada, Andrew Makin, Paul Wygers, Derek Japha, Vivienne Japha, Herbert Prins |
| Construction Companies | Rainbow Construction, WBHO |
| Construction Tender Value | R87.5 million |
| Construction Materials | Timber, Concrete, Steel, Glass, Black Slate |
| Bricks Used From Old Prison Buildings | 150,000 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- The Constitutional Court of South Africa was inaugurated in 2004
- The court is located on Constitution Hill, Johannesburg
- The building design competition was won by Janina Masojada, Andrew Makin and Paul Wygers
- The building was constructed using bricks from the former prison on the site
- The court's 11 judges are appointed by the President of South Africa
The Constitutional Court of South Africa was inaugurated in 2004
The Constitutional Court is housed in a purpose-built complex, constructed on the site of the former Old Fort prison. The choice of this location was deliberate, as it symbolises the transformation of an authoritarian system to a constitutional democracy. The building incorporates 150,000 bricks from the demolished prison, including those from the awaiting-trial block, with its stairwells preserved as a reminder of the Constitution's transformative aspirations.
The court consists of eleven judges appointed by the President of South Africa, serving for a term of twelve years. The first court session in the new building was held in February 2004, and it is open to the public, who can attend hearings or view the impressive contemporary art collection, including works by local and international artists.
The building's design was based on the African concept of "justice under a tree," with a fragmented structure comprising a series of pavilions linked by pathways and public plazas. The principal materials used—timber, concrete, steel, glass, and black slate—infuse the court with an African feel. The court is noted for its welcoming atmosphere, filled with sparkle and warmth, offering a unique experience for visitors and those seeking justice alike.
The Constitutional Court of South Africa stands as a testament to the country's commitment to democracy, transparency, and the protection of human rights, with its inauguration in 2004 serving as a significant milestone in the nation's history.
James Madison: Constitution's Key Architect
You may want to see also
The court is located on Constitution Hill, Johannesburg
The Constitutional Court of South Africa is located on Constitution Hill in Johannesburg. The court building was constructed using bricks from the demolished former prison that previously occupied the site. The prison closed in 1983, and the court was inaugurated in 2004. The site was chosen for its history, with the court's judges deliberately selecting it for that reason. The Constitutional Court is South Africa's first major post-apartheid government building, and its design reflects the values of the country's new constitutional democracy.
The court building is located at 11 Kotze Street in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, near the western end of the suburb of Hillbrow. The Hill overlooks downtown Johannesburg to the south and the wealthy northern suburbs of Houghton, Parktown, and Sandton to the north. The court is partly housed in a building that features a giant grassy mound on one side and modern steel on the other.
The Constitutional Court consists of eleven judges who are appointed by the President of South Africa from a list drawn up by the Judicial Service Commission. The judges serve for a term of twelve years and hear cases in a chamber that incorporates the stairwells and bricks from the former awaiting-trial block of the prison. The building is notable for its transparency and graceful proportions, with principal materials including timber, concrete, steel, glass, and black slate.
The court is open to the public, who can attend hearings or view the art gallery in the court atrium. The court houses a collection of more than 200 contemporary artworks chosen by Constitutional Court judge Albie Sachs. The doors to the court feature the 27 rights of the Bill of Rights, written in all eleven official languages of South Africa. The building has been designed to be welcoming and accessible, embodying the openness and transparency called for by the Constitution.
Designing Bedrooms: Walk-in Closets or Built-in Storage?
You may want to see also
The building design competition was won by Janina Masojada, Andrew Makin and Paul Wygers
The Constitutional Court building in Johannesburg was inaugurated in 2004, with its design based on the African concept of "justice under a tree". The building design competition was won by Janina Masojada, Andrew Makin and Paul Wygers, whose firms, Urban Solutions and OMM Design Workshop, collaborated on the design. Their winning design was chosen from 158 entries, with the competition brief emphasising specific criteria such as acknowledging local human needs and social values, as well as the relationship to the physical, cultural and historical landscapes.
The building's design reflects the values of South Africa's new constitutional democracy, with an emphasis on transparency and openness. The structure is fragmented rather than monolithic, consisting of a series of pavilions linked by pathways and public plazas. The principal materials used in the construction include timber, concrete, steel, glass and black slate, infusing the court with an African feel.
The Constitutional Court is located on Constitution Hill, which is situated at the intersection of three diverse neighbourhoods: densely populated Hillbrow, affluent Parktown, and bureaucratic Braamfontein. The court is built on the site of the Old Fort's former prison, which closed in 1983. The choice of this location was deliberate, as it symbolises the transformation of an authoritarian system to a constitutional democracy.
The new court building incorporates approximately 150,000 bricks from the demolished prison, including the stairwells of the former Awaiting Trial Block. The design preserves the history of the site while creating a modern and welcoming space. The court is open to the public and houses a contemporary art collection, showcasing both local and international artists.
The Constitutional Court of South Africa serves as the highest court in the country, with eleven judges appointed to protect the Constitution and safeguard human rights. The court's establishment can be traced back to the African National Congress (ANC)'s movement for a constitutional court in 1920. The first court session in the new building was held in February 2004, marking a significant step in South Africa's journey towards democracy and justice for all.
Strict Constructionism: Interpreting the Constitution
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The building was constructed using bricks from the former prison on the site
The Constitutional Court of South Africa is located in Johannesburg, at 11 Kotze Street in Braamfontein, near the suburb of Hillbrow. The court building was constructed using bricks from the demolished awaiting-trial wing of the former Number 4 prison, also known as the Old Fort prison complex. The Old Fort was built around the original prison, which was constructed in 1892 to house white male prisoners. Later, the prison was extended to include "native" cells for black men, and a women's section was added in 1907.
The Constitutional Court is South Africa's highest court and is deeply symbolic, occupying a site previously affiliated with the violation of human rights during the apartheid era. The Old Fort prison held political activists opposed to apartheid, common criminals, and political prisoners such as Mahatma Gandhi, Robert Sobukwe, and Nelson Mandela. The prison closed in 1983, and the court was established by the Interim Constitution of 1993, with its first session taking place in February 1995.
The new court building was designed by architects Janina Masojada, Andrew Makin, and Paul Wygers, who won the competition for their concept of "justice under a tree". The design is fragmented rather than monolithic, with a series of pavilions linked by pathways and public plazas. The building is noted for its transparency and graceful proportions, with principal materials including timber, concrete, steel, glass, and black slate, infusing the court with an African feel.
The Constitutional Court's judges deliberately chose the site of the Old Fort prison for its history, aiming to transform a place of oppression into a symbol of constitutional democracy. The bricks from the former prison were used to construct walls in the Constitutional Court foyer, the chamber behind the judges' chairs, and the Great African Steps. The court also retained the stairwells from the old prison, incorporating them into the new building as a reminder of South Africa's transformation and overcoming of its oppressive past.
Understanding Class 3 Rounds for 37mm Launchers
You may want to see also
The court's 11 judges are appointed by the President of South Africa
The Constitutional Court of South Africa was inaugurated in 2004 and is located on Constitution Hill in Johannesburg. The court building is constructed using bricks from the demolished awaiting-trial wing of the former prison. The court consists of eleven judges who are appointed by the President of South Africa. These judges serve for a term of twelve years. However, this term may be extended by an Act of Parliament. Judges may not be members of Parliament, the government, or political parties.
The court was first established by the Interim Constitution of 1993, and its first session began in February 1995. The Constitutional Court is the highest court in South Africa and was born of the country's first democratic Constitution in 1994. The court was designed to embody the openness and transparency called for by the Constitution. The building is noted for its transparency and graceful proportions, with principal materials including timber, concrete, steel, glass, and black slate.
The Constitutional Court is partly housed in a building that looks like a giant grassy mound on one side and modern steel on the other. The court has two layers: the outer layer consists of the foyer, the court chamber, an auditorium, and an exhibition space. The inner layer consists of the administration section, the judges' conference and meeting rooms, and the judges' chambers. The judges' chambers are on three storeys and offer easy access to the court and the library.
The design of the Constitutional Court building was based on the African concept of "justice under a tree". The building incorporates around 150,000 bricks from the former stairwells of the awaiting-trial block, which was demolished after the end of apartheid. The court houses a collection of contemporary artworks chosen by Constitutional Court judge Albie Sachs. The building is open to the public, who can attend hearings or view the art gallery in the court atrium.
Individual Equality Provisions in the Constitution: How Many?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Constitutional Court building in Johannesburg was inaugurated in 2004.
The Constitutional Court building is located at 11 Kotze Street in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.
The building is made of timber, concrete, steel, glass, and black slate. It incorporates 150,000 bricks from the former stairwells of the Awaiting Trial Block, which was demolished after the end of apartheid.
The building was designed by Janina Masojada, Andrew Makin, and Paul Wygers. Their design was based on the African concept of "justice under a tree".
