Danish architectural practice to design the new permanent premises for the International Criminal Court in The Hague

Schmidt hammer lassen architects was selected in the prestigious architectural design competition with a 20-strong international shortlist including David Chipperfield, Mecanoo architecten, OMA/Search, Ingenhoven, Wiel Arets and Kengo Kuma & Associates.

The permanent premises, which will be built by schmidt hammer lassen architects, will become the symbol of the hope of justice for the victims and survivors of grave crimes.

“To the world, the International Criminal Court symbolises the fundamental rights of people and the chance for reconciliation. At the same time, the permanent premises must communicate the authority and respect of the highest court in the world. We want to create a building that will illustrate these values,” explained Creative Director and Co-Founding Partner of schmidt hammer lassen architects, Bjarne Hammer. “It is a court for all the future generations.”

Despite significant security requirements, schmidt hammer lassen architects has designed the permanent premises to appear accessible and open to visitors. The architectural jury stressed the ability of the winning proposal to be an architectural icon while at the same time being both open, modern and a comfortable work place.
“A building that belongs to the people of the world, and which more than anything else has to protect the people of the world, should not keep people out,” says Bjarne Hammer.

The new permanent premises will be placed at the edge of the city of The Hague, creating a connection between the city and the dune landscape adjacent to the North Sea. The International Criminal Court will consist of six connected building volumes of which the Court Tower stands out with its façade of plants. The plants and the garden motif can also be found in the ground floor of the building – the parterre level – and will contribute to the characteristics of the building.

“Historically, gardens have always existed as part of all cultures and religions. With flowers and plants from each of the ICC’s 110 State Parties, the parterre garden becomes a symbol of unity regardless of nationality or cultural background,” says Bjarne Hammer.

CEO of the Danish Architecture Centre, Kent Martinussen, commented,”The new permanent premises of the International Criminal Court in The Hague is a prestigious building project with the most remarkable exposure thinkable for Danish architecture in general and schmidt hammer lassen architects in particular. In the most impressive manner, schmidt hammer lassen architects enlist themselves in the line of architectural practises with Danish architectural icons abroad – a list which for example counts Spreckelsen’s The Arch of Triumph in Paris, Henning Larsen with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Riyadh and Jørn Utzon with The Opera House in Sydney.”



Facts about the International Criminal Court (ICC)
The International Criminal Court (ICC), governed by the Rome Statute, is the first permanent, treaty-based, international criminal court established to end impunity for perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community. The Court is mandated to prosecute crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide, when national courts are unable or unwilling to do so. As of 1 March 2010, the Rome Treaty has been ratified by 110 states.

The ICC is an independent international organisation, and is not part of the United Nations system. The legal basis for the organisation is the Rome Statute adopted in 1998. Although the Court’s expenses are funded primarily by States Parties, it also receives voluntary contributions from governments, international organisations, individuals, corporations and other entities.