Criminal Court Building Project

The Criminal Court Headquarter represents a functional and urban addition to Qasr Al-Hukm District. Actually, this project is part of an integrated program developed by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City to revive the historical, administrative and cultural heart of Riyadh, and develop the metropolitan public utilities, residential environment and economic activities.

Integrated Architectural Edifice

Criminal Court building after completion.

The 46,330-m² Criminal Court falls in Qasr Al-Hukm District, downtown of Riyadh, and it is bordered by Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah Road in the north, Al Frayan Street in the east, and Salam Street in the west. The Court’s building comprises 48 courtrooms, five joint judicial halls, in addition to the different administrative offices, meeting rooms, and a library. It also has a separate entrance for receiving women’s cases.

The total area of the buildings exceeds 100,000 m²in addition to its public arenas, roads, and public service networks. The building was equipped with 24 elevators: eight for the judges, eight for the public and eight for the defendants.

The building provides separate entrances for the judges, the defendants and the public. The building is also provided with parking areas that can totally accommodate 1130 cars. The basement serves as a park with a capacity of 260 cars, in addition to a separate multi-story park with a capacity of 870 cars.

Interconnection of The Building Functions

Vertical section featuring the functional units of the Court’s headquarter

The ground floor hosts the main entrance, foyer, Administrative Communications office, in addition to the Ushers’ Department. As for the first floor, it has five joint judicial halls, while the second floor has court administration, and two courtrooms. The floors – from the third to the seventh – host other courtrooms (8 courtrooms per floor). As for the eighth floor, it hosts the court’s presidency, the library, and two courtrooms.

For the sake of flexibility, services are distributed across the building. The first basement contains a police station and detention areas in addition to maintenance and operation department. The second basement includes electricity and mechanical equipment rooms in addition to a two-story park with a capacity of 245 cars.

Advanced Systems

Construction works at the Court’s headquarter

The project has the latest technologies necessary for accelerating the administrative and judicial procedures. The building is also equipped with several modern and advanced systems including water-based firefighting system that uses gas at certain locations where the court’s important documents are stored. The building has surveillance cameras and integrated control system that controls everything including lighting, alarm, etc.

The building is also equipped with a thermal storage system to save the power required for air conditioning at the hottest period of the day.

Arenas’ Integration

The Criminal Court building is surrounded by green areas that integrate with the green areas of the High Court Building. A part of Al Faryan Street was blocked to link the arenas of the High Court and the Criminal Court forming a giant arena over an area of 55,000 m².

Great Addition and Integrated Urban Structure

The Court’s headquarter blends and integrates with its environs

The Criminal Court building was designed to be orthogonal with the Qasr Al-Hukm axis and consistent with area’s urban style, which made access to it very easy. The 44-meter high building gives an awesome feeling and symbolizes its mission, forming a prominent landmark in the living downtown.

The building blends with the surrounding facilities like the High Court, Sheikh Muhammad bin Ibrahim Mosque, Dukhnah Square, and the front garden that links it to Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah Road achieving harmony in this vital location in the heart of Riyadh city.

To ensure smooth movement throughout the building, the northern entrance was dedicated to the senior officials, while the southern entrance was dedicated to the public to be close to the parking area at the southern section of the building, which also host shops and offices.