The High Court in Auckland, then known as the Supreme Court, opened in 1867. Since then it has been modernised and extended numerous times, and remains one of the great testaments to early Auckland nearly 150 years later.

Following S&T’s successful delivery of the Special Courts and Auckland District Court refurbishments in 2014, the Ministry of Justice asked S&T to develop a new design for the High Court in Auckland and the Court of Appeal.

The brief called for the current Court of Appeal Hearing Centre to operate as a combined civil and criminal High Court registry with a new public counter that met health and safety requirements.

A new non-custodial civil courtroom was also required, as was the repurposing of Courtroom 3 (in the historic part of the building) as a Common Room for the Court of Appeal and new Justice chambers.

Relocation of the Court of Appeal:

S&T undertook an interior refurbishment of the High Court historic building to accommodate the Court of Appeal, including new Judges’ Chambers, supporting associate office spaces, a new common room, new and refurbished toilets, and an upgrade of the existing kitchenette.

The design also included an alteration of the historic benchtop in Courtroom 1 and AVL technology upgrade, as well as a replacement of the carpet.

Heritage conservation needed to be considered, along with security requirements and an upgrade of the HVAC system.

High Court Interior Refurbishment of the Civil Courtroom and Ancillary Spaces:

This project included converting the criminal registry in the lower ground floor to LG2 Civil Courtroom with ancillary spaces, including a public waiting foyer area, a police office, a secure lobby, a secure corridor, and a Crown Solicitors’ common area, including two offices.

S&T used warm tones of totara and coloured rimu to create a calming environment and help alleviate stress, tension, and anxiety for users of these spaces.

Stone, brass, recycled rimu finishes and new broadloom carpet were used to complement and enhance the historic nature of the building as well as embody a contemporary architectural style.

The S&T team delivered a modern workplace environment that was fit for purpose, reduced security risk and complied with current courthouse design standards.