The local council in Haarlem opted to bring a hotel, an expansion of their concert hall (4,000 m2), a court building of 16,000 m2 and a car park with 350 spaces all together along a public footpath. A diversity of urban functions are realised at this central location. This task is best compared to an urban rubik's cube because of the combination of the required spatial demarcations, the protected status of the city and the peculiar demands for security, logistics and a court house.
In the still intact structure of the centre of Haarlem, Henket and Partners introduce a new inner courtyard where the entrance of the new courthouse is situated. The court functions, the public area and the offices, are projected around the court. A sound buffer between the public street and the interior of the courthouse is created by this layout. The buffer is required due to the courtrooms nearby.
