As lead architects on the new permanent premises of the International Criminal Court in the Hague, schmidt hammer lassen architects supports the World Day for International Justice on 17th July 2015.

17th July marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Rome Statute in 1998, the founding treaty of the ICC, which seeks to protect people from genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression. The day unites all those who wish to support justice, promote victims' rights, and help prevent crimes that threaten the peace, security and well-being of the world.

The construction of the new permanent premises is almost complete, the building is scheduled to be handed-over to the International Criminal Court by September, followed by the public opening early next year.

The New permanent premises
The building is designed as a sculptural abstraction, – a composition of six volumes, firmly anchored to the site and rising from the surrounding dune landscape. The tallest of the volumes is the Court Tower that rises up as a green element. The architectural idea is to continue the cultivated parterre gardens from the ground floor level, as a cladding on the Court Tower. Historically, gardens have always existed as part of all cultures and all religions. With flowers and plants from each of the regional groups of states, the parterre garden rises up as a symbol of unity, regardless of nationality and culture. The remaining volumes, the office towers, are draped in a tapestry grid, almost like embroidery.

When designing the new permanent premises of the International Criminal Court, the point of departure was to communicate trust, hope and – most importantly – faith in justice and fairness. The building will have the courage to be an ambassador for the credibility of the ICC.