Belgium: Court inspired in hazelnut tree

The newly-opened Court of Hasselt in Belgium, is now ready to enforce the law. The Tower has 20,763 m2 of office space, meeting rooms, library, reception area, café and courtrooms. The entrance of natural light and transparency have played key roles in the project, as expressed by the façade of the building.

The exterior of the structure contains perforated panels that provide shade to the interior and prevent solar heat gains, while letting natural light in the building â€" as do the leaves of a tree. The inspiration for the project was precisely the avelãzeira â€" present in the coat of arms of the city â€" and that's why the tower features a branched facade.

The influence of Art Nouveau in the construction, on the other hand, also refers to steel buildings of the city and its industrial past. In fact, it cannot be said that the project has devalued the history of the site for which it was intended.

The Inhabitat advances that the building is divided into three units: the courts, the library for students and an Office Tower, with a restaurant on top, which offers panoramic views of the city and its surroundings.

The Court is one of two towers built in a new area of Hasselt which includes a park, public buildings, offices, hotels and residential condominiums. The project counted with the collaboration of the studios West 8, j. Mayer h. Architects, also, in 20 Lens° Ass Architecten, Architecten. The exterior was completed in 2011 and the now officially opened to the public space, the day September 13, 2013.

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