Architect Adrian Crispin Pettersson designed the District Court in Alingsås, a classic brick building from 1899. It stands a few blocks from the town centre, surrounded by large villas and a school from the early twentieth century. In the late 1950s, a brick wing was added. Just over half a century later, Tengbom designed the next extension. Another milestone in Alingsås District Court’s history came in 2016 when we won the PLÅT prize for the new zinc-clad addition. The annual PLÅT seminar is a major event dedicated to metal sheeting and architecture.

We joined the project after it was already underway, when a brick extension by architect Börje Falemo had been proposed. The District Court, however, wanted to explore alternative facade solutions, giving us the opportunity to present a design based on the existing floor plan. Drawing inspiration from the surrounding buildings with their steep roofs, we proposed a structure with a saddle roof and curved bay windows. With a compact plot and thin walls, it made perfect sense to extend the zinc sheeting from the roof down the facade, creating a sleek, protective outer layer.

“This design gave us both flat and steep roofs, so we needed a material that could handle both — leading us to zinc. The old building has thick, solid walls, while the extension relies on thinner curtain walls. Here, zinc sheeting worked perfectly as exterior cladding. We could wrap the entire building in a single material, making it clear what was new and what was old,” says architect Fritz Olausson.

The result, a monolith in zinc, cannot be ignored. The sheeting accentuates the building’s shape and shows its own annual ring at the same time as it ages with dignity — much like a grey and wise judge.

Photo: Felix Gerlach

Photo: Felix Gerlach

Photo: Felix Gerlach

A contemporary take on traditional craftsmanship

“Zinc is a fine old classic material which was used extensively as roofing during the last century. We simply brought in down onto the facade and it fits beautifully with the granite foundation wall which is a common denominator for both buildings,” says architect Magnus Almung.

Even with its expressive form, the building maintains a restrained volume to avoid crowding the old one.

“The design represents our time, perhaps primarily thinking of the expressive volume. Monolithic buildings are typical these days with the same material for walls and roof. You can even see buildings without eaves. In the same way saddle roofs have come back into fashion in the past few years, something we didn’t see much of previously. The difference is perhaps that this building is constructed using craft techniques that are the same as at the beginning of the twentieth century. All the sheets are put up with great care and precision,” continues Olausson.

A living facade

The roof is clad with standing seam sheeting while the facades are covered with sheets of different widths placed in a set “random pattern” from base to ridge. Variation provides a living facade and by working with four different widths we could work round the predetermined window locations which were dictated by the internal functions. The entrance doors are also clad in zinc and fall into the pattern.

“Over time the facade will age as beautifully as the adjacent brick buildings. That´s when runnels and patination make their mark on the sheeting,” says Almung.

The team carefully chose the grey zinc sheeting, valuing its robust and confidence-inspiring aesthetic. Alingsås District Court emphasized the need for a dignified environment. Since the Court handles sensitive and serious cases, the surroundings must both show respect and instill confidence in visitors.

“A good client is key to a successful result. The requirements of the Swedish National Courts Administration and the District Court were decisive for the building’s appearance.”

Fritz Olausson, architect

Metaphors and problem solving

Raising the roof wasn’t just a metaphor — it was a real challenge. High ceilings weren’t part of the original plans, but they allowed for two new courtrooms with a height matching the large courtroom in the old building. We refused to compromise on this. Some suggested lowering the ceilings to improve acoustics and recording conditions. Instead, skilled acousticians tackled the challenge together with sound and light engineers. Otherwise, the building’s exterior and interior would have clashed. Something we were determined to avoid.

Designed-in stories

Another aspect which the presiding judge liked was a building that told stories. Tengbom has also designed the interior and Carl Olofsson saw an opportunity to incorporate the courthouse’s history in the interior. There was an existing decision that the courtroom doors should be of walnut with elements of oak. Olofsson’s solution was a striped pattern with references to the five key years for the building. At the bottom of the doors is a code with lines that form the year. Tengbom has a frame contract with the Swedish National Courts Administration and designs interiors for courts throughout Sweden. Karin von Geijer designed the interiors of Alingsås District Court.

“We started in both the original and new buildings when we designed the courtroom furniture. The rooms are characterised by wood-panelled walls and floors. We wanted to get a feeling that the tables were growing out of the wooden floor. It was like a jigsaw getting the tables right bearing in mind the mass of technical equipment such as cameras and recording equipment that they contain. The interiors need to be beautiful and dignified since life-changing events will take place here. The rooms must be perceived as neutral as much by the public as by the parties and witnesses,” she says.

Furniture that elevates the space

The generous ceiling height made even higher demands on the technical installation, which influenced the furniture. The courtrooms have a lovely sense of space which must be reinforced, not supressed, by the furniture required. One solution to this, among others, is office chairs with semi-transparent backs which make the back wall behind the Court’s bench visible. The wooden frontals of the furniture have references to the facades in brick and zinc. Another unusual detail in the context of courtrooms is that they have direct daylight. If hearings are in camera then curtains can be drawn across the windows.

Now and then

The jury for the PLÅT prize stressed among other things that Alingsås District Court is “a building that arouses feelings (…) The designers have been insistent in their choice of material which shows a very good understanding for materials. A familiarity which has provided the finest details as well as space for great craftsmanship. Alingsås residents should confidently follow each annual ring on this solid building.”

The District Court officially opened in September 2016.