Wyndham Law Courts

The new Wyndham Law Courts precinct in west Melbourne, designed by Lyons Architecture, presents a significant departure from the usual institutional court settings: designed with wellbeing as priority to ease the stress of a day in court.

The precinct comprises 13 courts including a children’s court, Koori court and specialised family violence court. Within the mix are spaces for gathering, ceremony and community that offer a welcoming, safe and restorative environment for visitors. The Community Connections drop-in offers information and support across jurisdictions, while Changing Places provides for people with accessibility challenges.

Natural light, open spaces and public garden terraces provide breathing space for visitors–allowing people to sit in fresh air without leaving the building. Tiled areas act as transition zones between the indoors and outdoors, with seating, plants and sunlight.

Greenaway Architects provided cultural input for the design which takes inspiration from Werribee’s rich soils, red earth, waterways and green eucalypts for the striking colour palette. Landscape architecture is by Rush Wright Associates

Inclusive seating areas include DDA-friendly Piatto Chairs and Piatto Table settings with aluminium woodgrain Spotted Gum battens and Pale Eucalypt frames. Wheelchair-accessible Linea Table settings provides another seating option.

The furniture is both functional and well-suited to the calming terrace environment, creating spaces that help people feel more at ease and reduce the stress of their day in court.

Spokesperson for Court Services Victoria.

Tailored installation method

Street Furniture Australia’s engineers developed a novel method to install the furniture onto floating tiles, using adhesive and a neat base plate. This fixing method could be applied to terrace or rooftop projects.

A bite to eat between hearings

A not-for-profit cafe, The Little Social, serves court visitors, and is also equipped with Piatto pieces from Street Furniture Australia.

Piatto Bar Stools in Textura Surfmist allow customers to look out the window at the garden with their morning tea. Outside, people can dine at Piatto Stools and Tables featuring aluminium woodgrain Spotted Gum battens and earthy Textura Russet frames.