|
|
Post by kerouac2 on Nov 9, 2019 6:46:45 GMT
Adapting Paris to the 21st century is not the easiest thing in the world, especially the historic heart of Ile de la Cité, so moving the courthouse and the police headquarters, both of which had become far too small over the years, was a raging source of controversy for a decade. Taking people out of a historic building in the most prestigious area in the city does not happen without major protests. The judges didn't want to go, the lawyers sidn't want to go, the police didn't want to go... Nobody asked the little administrative employees, but they certainly did not want to go either.
The national government wanted to move everybody to the "Tolbiac site" not too far away, just across from the giant Mitterrand library site. This meant building everything over the train tracks leaving the Gare d'Austerlitz. However, the city of Paris violently opposed this choice and promoted the "Masséna site" instead. This was basically over the same Austerlitz train tracks but quite a bit farther out on the southern edge of the city. This was considered to be a fate worse than death for the judicial community. It was the middle of nowhere. In fact, it still is.
The Ile de France regional authorites threw their weight into the battle and decided that Tolbiac was better. 275 architectural projects were filed in 2007, but the city of Paris dug in its heels and was able to block the projects since it had control over a major portion of the necessary real estate. The project stagnated while still devouring tax money, I'm quite sure.
In 2009, President Sarkozy pulled the rug out from everybody. Paris had lost the 2012 Olympics to London, and there was a huge parcel of land that had been set aside for the games on the northern edge of the city. Something needed to be done with this embarrassing piece of real estate. A contract was signed in February 2012 with an architectural project by Renzo Piano.
However, in May 2012, much to his dismay, Sarkozy was not reelected. The new governement threated to cancel the project, because that is the sort of thing that new governments like to do, but it was finally confirmed in January 2013. Meanwhile the bar association in association with the judges' association had filed a motion to cancel the project because, hey, they were happy on Ile de la Cité and sensed a weak point in the government's determination. Work on the construction was temporarily suspended, but this was another case where so much money had been spent already that there was absolutely no way to justify dumping the whole project and starting over again.
And so in August 2017 the building was mostly complete. Just about every court in Paris was moved into it -- the 20 local courts in each mairie, the courts in the Tribunal of Commerce and other non criminal jurisdictions, and the vast majority of the courts in the Palais de Justice, which retains only the court of appeals and the supreme court. There are 90 courtrooms in the new building, which is 38 floors tall.
i.postimg.cc/sg2W6F8Y/Tribunal_de_Paris_020.jpg
i.postimg.cc/KjFktCBg/Tribunal_de_Paris_022.jpg
There are 500 trees growing on the building. These are all for the pleasure of the 700 judges who occupy all of the upper floors. Neither the lawyers nor the public have access.
i.postimg.cc/8C2rz7C4/Tribunal_de_Paris_023.jpg
|
|
|
|
Post by kerouac2 on Nov 9, 2019 6:57:58 GMT
The two wings on each side of the buildings have lots of booths for primary consultations. One side is for people who think they want to file a case or at least make a major complaint about something. The other side is for people who might be in trouble and want to defend themselves. These booths are considered a major innovation from the Palais de Justice, which had nothing of the sort for basic information. |
|
|
|
Post by bjd on Nov 9, 2019 7:18:05 GMT
What you say in the first paragraph reminds me of when they wanted to move ENA to Strasbourg. Can't leave Paris -- that's where all the connections are!
So that new place is around Batignolles? I really like Batignolles, altough a bit further towards the centre.
I always worry about seeing trees planted on buildings -- thinking about the weight of the waterlogged soil needed to hold them in place. But if it's to make the judges happy... he building looks pleasant and airy on the inside.
|
|
|
|
Post by kerouac2 on Nov 9, 2019 11:18:18 GMT
We were invited to sit in on two trials in progress. There was the choice of the Mediator pharmaceutical trial or a terrorism trial. This is a very big trial with 4981 victims and 376 lawyers. Mediator was one of those miracle drugs which was actually killing people instead (heart attacks and such). If I am not mistaken, it was prescribed to diabetics while it actually had the effect of a powerful amphetamine. France was one of the last countries to ban the molecule, which of course makes the French authorities guilty as well... Anyway, I chose the terrorism trial. The judge was reading out the content of all of the wiretaps, tweets and Facebook posts, and it made it all too real. While the main person on trial was of North African origin, he had been radicalized by French converts. He said his mother was a disgusting whore because she did not wear a veil and decided that the only free country in the world was the caliphate in Syria because France was completely oppressive and impure. He couldn't decide if he should buy a lot of weapons and kill as many French people as possible or go straight to Syria as a base for conquering the world. The accused were in a glass box surrounded by police officers wearing masks. Really gripping stuff, but I only stayed half an hour because the judge had so many elements to read before the lawyers would be invited to talk. There were no more than about 20 spectators and one always wonders who they are. Friends? Family? Since the plans did not come to fruition, at least there were no victims. Anyway, it made me want to go back and sit in on more trials some day. There is a website that shows the schedule for everything. |
|
|
|
Post by kerouac2 on Nov 9, 2019 11:20:42 GMT
So that new place is around Batignolles? It's at Porte de Clichy, served by metro line 13 and tram line 3b. Next year it will also be served by the new extension of metro line 14. |
|
|
|
Post by lagatta on Nov 9, 2019 11:59:12 GMT
Yes, I was sure I recognised that. The park has become far more attractive over just a few years!
At least the creep didn't manage to kill anyone. And maman won't have to put up with him for a while, unless there is some kind of mistrial.
|
|
|
|
Post by bixaorellana on Nov 9, 2019 14:50:18 GMT
Well, this is fascinating information that I never expected to have come my way! I closely read your introduction to this report, as it mirrors the kind of controversy that plays out all over the world on the question of moving essential public services out of the city center. You write: Nobody asked the little administrative employees, but they certainly did not want to go either. One wonders if that is true or, as people much further down on the pay scale, that they already live so far from the center that a daily commute to a different area might not be a hardship. One hopes that their working conditions were improved by the move to the shiny new building, as well.
My first impression of the building's exterior was that it looked flimsy, like something made from a kit for children. But looking at it again, especially in the last picture where it is seen with neighboring buildings in the landscape, I admire the way it and its neighbors endeavor not to be dark looming blocks against the sky. The Tribunal building in particular sort of disperses its edges in a pleasing way.
The interior certainly seems light and airy and does convey more of a wish to serve the public and less of a sense of intimidation. What about the acoustics? Does it have the clattering inescapable noise of an airport, or do the soaring ceilings help keep the noise down?
I would love to hear more about a trial in action whenever you get a chance to go back. Were those touring the building given a written summary of the subject of each trial? It sounds as though you were there fairly close to the beginning of the proceedings.
Super interesting report ~ thank you!
|
|
|
|
Post by kerouac2 on Nov 9, 2019 15:21:06 GMT
people much further down on the pay scale, that they already live so far from the center that a daily commute to a different area might not be a hardship They are just as likely, though, to live south of Paris as north of Paris. One thing that helps is that employees had about five years advance notice on the fact that they were moving. Also, employees generally receive a premium of at least 1000 euros to cover personal moving expenses as long as they move closer to their workplace. What about the acoustics? The building is actually very quiet and the main reason for this is some sort of sound sucking devices hanging from the ceiling. If you look at photo #3 in reply #1 as well as some of the other ceiling photos, you will see round cylinders hanging from the ceiling besides the lighting fixtures. These are the magical acoustic devices. Don't as me how they work!
|
|
|
|
Post by bixaorellana on Nov 9, 2019 16:04:16 GMT
What an exquisite description, Huckle ~ thank you!
Well, true, Kerouac, about the employees being as likely to live south of Paris as north. I guess once the move was really & truly a done deal in 2013, it gave the employees enough time to move. The 1000 euros for moving expenses is most civilized.
I had noted the cylinders, but thought they were only ornamental. Very cool that they suck up noise!
|
|
|
|
Post by kerouac2 on Nov 9, 2019 16:43:24 GMT
It should also be mentioned that the building is not artificially air conditioned. All cooling is done through ventilation. Is this sufficient? I don't know, but everybody survived the summer heat wave.
Another factoid is that the glass fronting the ground level of the building is 10cm thick and can withstand the impact of a truck driving at full speed into the building. It is kind of sad that this sort of thing is now necessary.
|
|
|
|
Post by lugg on Nov 9, 2019 18:08:59 GMT
Well firstly I have to applaud your photos K2 they are really great. Especially the first and last ones with the building against the Autumn colours - wow.
So many stories will be told in this building. It seems from your report that public access to courts/ trials is very similar to that here in the UK.
(As an aside , Renzo Piano also created the Shard in London)
|
|
|
|
Post by bixaorellana on Nov 9, 2019 18:40:26 GMT
That cooling method is surely better for the health of the workers and for the environment!
As far as the glass -- aside from the fear of attack, it's nice to know that a poor driver or a clumsy delivery person won't accidentally bring down a giant sheet of glass.
Edited to say that I'd left this page open when I went to answer the phone, then finished my post without seeing Lugg's. So interesting that the architect of the Shard also designed this building, assuming that his contract of 2012 was indeed honored.
|
|
|
|
Post by kerouac2 on Nov 9, 2019 19:36:37 GMT
Well, in France Renzo Piano still remains most famous for having designed the Pompidou Centre. And it remains controversial to this day, 32 years after it was built. (At the moment it is being renovated. It is still open, but there is a big fence in front of it -- you have to enter through the back.)
|
|
|
|
Post by bixaorellana on Nov 9, 2019 20:59:03 GMT
Yeah, well, the Pompidou Center ~ still ugly after all these years.  |
|
