The building plan is ‘L’ shaped with an east-west axis providing abundant natural light and aspects towards the Goulburn River parklands. Public waiting spaces and courtrooms are generous in scale, calm in character, with connections to views and daylight light. Entry to the precinct was inspired by the River Red Gum, the enduring image of the large ancient tree in the floodplains of the Goulburn River; suggests shade, shelter and the offering of a gathering place. The ancient tree informed the initial design principles; internally, wrapped layered bands of timber and tiles represent the distorted trunk and root system, whilst externally, the perforated metal sun screen distils and shades the intense sun.

The six main courtrooms are adaptable with the capacity to accommodate multiple options and caseload requirements, they are secure and comfortable with separate spaces supporting juries, the judiciary, law enforcement officers, legal services, volunteers, staff and administrative services. In recognition of the heritage courthouse, key moments reference the “red brick civic memory”. A solid brick plinth along the façade grounds the building to material junctions and interfacing panels, extending to the landscaped forecourt.

Clad in a mix of glass, translucent and solid materials, the composition of the building façade responds to the complex internal program, urban context and site orientation.