national judicial academy

"It is rare that an architect gets an opportunity to heal a large tract of land that has been deeply fractured when used as quarry"

The National Judicial Academy is built to provide training for judicial officers at various levels for the Supreme Court of India in Bhopal. It is built on a 60 acre plot, overlooking two lakes. Situated on the peak of a hill that had been used for rock mining, the institution is set in a truly captivating environment.

The fissured rock-steep slopes on the south side of the hill proved quite a challenge in planning the complex. Our intention was to restore the land to its pristine state and finish the project without disturbing the skyline.

The campus is designed to take advantage of the significant views of the 'badda tal' and 'chota tal' (big & small lakes). The buildings are set in gardens with the main academy complex consisting of 11 courtyards of differing scale, openness and character. The largest building in the complex is the hostel, which literally follows the slope of the hill, forming beautiful terrace gardens on each floor.

The other buildings consist of the auditorium, staff quarters, a VIP Guest House and other structures. The Academy building set around a large courtyard houses the administrative offices, seminar rooms, library and recreation hall.

The National Judicial Academy is set up as a Training Center for Judges, a center for discussion and debate on emerging global issues and their effects in the judicial system, in addition to being a center for on-going research on matters of the law.