Kuwait has announced the launch of two major governmental establishments - The Jahra and Farwaniya Court Complexes.

The project, developed by The Amiri Diwan, in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works, was officially opened by His Highness The Amir of the of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah.

The project was completed by Pace, an architecture, engineering, design and planning practice based in Kuwait, within 20 months.

To ensure the speedy development, the company entered into a partnership with Fentress Architects, a specialist global consulting firm to provide the highest international standards for the Ministry of Justice.

Surrounded by major highways and link roads, the 16-storey main building is spread over a total area of 10,000 sq m and will primarily accommodate 80 courtrooms with an area of over 14,000 sq m.

With scope for future expansion, the court provides a net office space of more than 50,000 sq m to house over 2,000 employees. The building also includes a legal library, cafes, chapels, lecture halls, a hall for special occasions, all of which are supported by service and mechanical areas.

Pace succeeded at applying both function and design to the complex, where it drew influence from Kuwaiti tradition and Arabic calligraphy, and applied it to an environment that serves both visitors and staff.

The facades feature vast and ornate glass walls that allude to the transparency of the judiciary system, whilst in function it filters the harsh sunlight during summer are composed of reinforced glass.

The main lobbies of the courts offer a welcoming entrance to visitors, assuring them that the court is open to their disputes and legal affairs, creating a functional and symbolic space that is comfortable and reassuring, where interior design enhances natural lighting all the way up the floors and into the interior spaces.

The project is enhanced by its use of solar energy panels and a super-efficient Glyco air conditioning system.

A major highlight of the complex is a fully-automated multi-storey car park, the first in the GCC region.

With a capacity for over 2,900 cars, the facility is divided over three basements, a ground floor, 4 parking floors for ordinary cars, and 14 floors with separate spaces equipped with special security procedures including 93 spaces secured for judges, prosecutors and high-level officials.-TradeArabia News Service