For over five decades, Peddle Thorp Brisbane has been meeting demand to export its master planning and design prowess for international clients. More than a dozen mixed-use projects in China, and over 20 in Indonesia, are among the practice’s portfolio of global work.

Somewhat prolific in Papua New Guinea (PNG), Peddle Thorp Brisbane collaborated on delivering detailed design, documentation and project management for the country’s Parliament House, back in the ‘80s. In more recent years, the firm designed the University of Papua New Guinea’s School of Business and Public Policy building, along with a new lecture theatre.

The new Waigani National Courts Complex is the latest PNG project for which Peddle Thorp’s expertise has been enlisted. This project is best described as a masterclass in well-considered, multi-purpose design. Peddle Thorp Brisbane is the lead architect on the project, working in collaboration with JCA and PTW Architects.

Construction is well underway on a new Courts’ building — a six-storey design that comprises 14 Court rooms, Judges’ Chambers and holding facilities for detainees. Meanwhile, a new administration building adjoins the Courts’ building and will include Court registries, an IT centre, Court reporting services and security screening facilities.

At peak periods of operation, the new complex looks set to accommodate around 1,000 members of the public, judiciary and administrative/support staff, in addition to people being held in custody. For Brett Hudson, Project Leader and Peddle Thorp Brisbane Chief Executive Officer, key to the success of the design lay in facilitating “circulation separation” between different occupants of the space.

“A three-dimensional planning solution was vital to ensure the design is both cost-effective and efficient,” Brett says. “Detainees enter the space via holding areas located at the bottom of the building, meanwhile judges come down from the top of the building and the public access varies, depending upon the Court rooms they’re attending.”

Sensitive use of space

Unlike inner-city Courts — many of which inhabit smaller ground planes within high-rise buildings — the Waigani project enabled Brett and his team to amplify the entrance and create an impressive sense of arrival to the new complex. Dunn + Moran Landscape Architects assisted in this process. Areas of dense planting provide shaded areas for public respite. Additionally, vast areas of open space have been retained to accommodate official ceremonies that bring together large numbers of dignitaries, musicians and members of the local community.

The façade of the ceremonial Supreme Court (known as the Banco Court) features a precast-concrete lattice screen that references ‘bilum’ bags. These colourful bags have been handwoven by the people of PNG for generations. “Our intention is to signify the entwining of cultures and communities in an artisanal yet architectural manner,” Brett explains.

Inside, the design of the Banco Court enables the space to be reconfigured to host conferences and functions. Its proximity to the catering facilities also make the room an ideal venue for banquets and receptions. Importantly, the space has easy access to an adjacent terrace for indoor/outdoor entertaining.

Outdoor spaces are a signature of the Peddle Thorp design. “We were mindful that the community feels most comfortable in open and protected environments,” Brett says. “We’ve incorporated large, sheltered concourses outside each of the three storeys in which the Court rooms are located. Every concourse is linked via a large staircase to maximise views and airflow.” Upon completion of the two new buildings, Peddle Thorp will begin work on the refurbishment of the site’s original Courts’ building. The firm is also designing PNG’s Legal Training Institute — currently in the documentation stage.