High Court, Chandigarh – Exclusive Facts about the Palace of Justice
The common High Court for the Indian States of Haryana and Punjab is based in its capital Chandigarh called the High Court of Punjab and Haryana. The court has a modernized structure designed by a Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier. This building doesn’t just house the courtrooms, but also many offices for other administrative branches like Establishment Brand, Gazette Branch, Copying Branch, Registrar’s Office, etc. This court building is also known as the Palace of Justice.The High Court consists of 50 Judges as of 1st July 2019, out of which 43 are permanent and 7 judges are the additional ones. Many past judges are elevated to the position of the Chief Justice of India in the Supreme Court.
Modern Architecture
Chandigarh was the first planned city of Independent India. The Swiss-French architect is also called the pioneer of modern International architecture for all the right reasons. The architecture of Chandigarh is an amalgamation of traditions and modernization. The famous architect didn’t just design the High Court but he also has the architecture of several buildings to his name, which later became the landmark for the modern planning and new-age city.The Capitol Complex
Like every structure has a starting point, the design of Chandigarh’s modern architecture is well-described in the Capitol Complex. This complex in Chandigarh is separated from the rest of the city and it contains all the administrated landmarks like the Legislative Assembly, the High Court, the Government Institutions and the Secretariat building.Modern Scale
According to architectural experts, the scale of the Chandigarh Complex exceeds the functional requirement. However, the credit behind this grandeur goes to the Indian Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, because he wanted to recreate the glimpse of the city of Lahore, which was left with Pakistan after the partition. So the modernized architectures in the Complex including the High Court were done with a mindset to recreate.L-shaped Plan
The L-shaped plan is the blueprint of the Palace of Justice. It houses eight law courts and the high court on the ground floor. There are also many offices situated on the first floor. The three massive columns of the exterior are painted with bright colors as compared to the other columns that are plain. The colored columns are 60 feet in height, and all these columns are a means to support the thrust of the roof and the focal point. The L-shaped structure of the complex reflects the fresh and abstract architectural beauty. One look at the grand beauty of this structure will make you realize the creativity and talent of the architect.The Monumental “Parasol” Double Roof
The architect designed the High Court based on an important ruling that is the weather. The Palace of Justice in Chandigarh has a double roof that fights against any weather conditions. It is also one of the main attractions in the High Court apart from the massive columns. Another amazing fact about the double roof of this building is that the upper roof provides shade to the lower roof, and also helps in taking the rainwater down to the reflecting pool during monsoon.Apart from the weather and structural benefits, this double roof is also a source of natural ventilation for the interior through the gaps in between the layers. There’s so much to know and explore about the High Court that it can’t be summarized easily. Here are some basic architectural facts about this structure.
Basic Aspects of the Design
The design of the High Court in Chandigarh is done after a lot of consideration of various elements. Such as:• A grand architectural project to produce a modern building with deep traditional roots.
• Availability of materials that were not very suitable for building modern structures.
• A labor force quite unknown and unused to modern construction and techniques.
• The heat of the sun during summer.
• Heavy rainfall during monsoon.
Orientation
The very important detail kept in mind while constructing the High Court in Chandigarh was that the sun is a friend and not an enemy. The design of the structure is done in a way that the main façade faces the North-West in order to protect the interior space from the harsh rays of the sun. The addition of the brise-soleil and the concrete screen offers a brilliant shade to the courtroom and the fixed glasses. Apart from the intelligent architecture focused on saving the building from the sun, it also has a planned double roof that helps in ventilation.The smart architectural planning of the High Court allows the direct rays of the sun inside the courtroom in the evening after the working hours are over. This iconic and planned architecture of the High Court is famous for all the right reasons. The vision of Le Corbusier was beyond time, his designs speak for him and explain the creativity and magic he could create with bricks and stones.
Surrounding Attractions
When you are done absorbing the beauty and modern structure of the High Court and the other buildings in the Capitol Complex, you can spend some time exploring the surrounding places. Here are some options for you.
Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden is spread in 176 acres of land, and you will get to explore numerous plant species. All the setup is of a different kind and has a future vision in mind. The place consists of lakes, shelter huts, meditation points, Nature Park, etc.
Open Hand Monument
This monument is the landmark and a symbolic structure designed by Le Corbusier. Along with the other structures in the Capitol Complex, the open hand monument is frequently visited by tourists.
Sukhna Lake
This lake is a 3km (1.9 mi) long rain-fed lake, and it is situated in the foothills of Himalaya. You will love the surrounding nature and beauty of this place.
Rajendra Park
This place is beautiful; however, it doesn’t receive too many tourists. This place is suggested for people who like to explore less crowded places with exceptional beauty.
Museum of the Evolution of Life
If you love learning about new things, then this place will serve the purpose right. It offers information about Astronomy, Archaeology, Pre-historic Geology, along with some scientific and technical display.These attractions along with the modernized design of the Palace of Justice makes this area of Chandigarh a must to visit. Not just in terms of beauty but you will learn some incredible facts about its history and architecture.