DIVINE JUSTICE

SPRING 2021
CORE STUDIO
INSTRUCTOR: SUNG HO KIM

Who has the right to judge the accused? Is it natural power, god’s will or constitutional law that endow the judge and jury with the power in execution? To what extent should we give freedom to the accused? Baring such questions in mind, I studied several prototypes for the typical courtroom, layering the judge, jury, audience and the accused in different floor levels and place. The height difference of their position hints a hierarchy of power in a courthouse context.

The divine justice is a reconstruction project for a new courthouse located in Locust Street, downtown St. Louis. The program requirement is to only use 70% space of the original building, and all historical columns and façade should be remained. There is circulation for the attendee in the courthouse: a public entrance facing toward Locust Street welcomes public audience and the jury, and a side entrance that only allows the court staffs and the accused to enter.

Using the box concept model to unroll, I developed a series of vignette models that studied the circulation, entrance and bridge in the courthouse. Although people from these two circulations would never meet with each other face to face, they would still see the other’s activities. It is not only a legal process for the accused but also a unique spatial experience for all attendees.

Site: St. Louis, USA
Individual