Gerechtsgebouw(EX3), Nieuwe Tielseweg 1

English translation

The text above is the record as published by the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed, in Dutch. The English below is a machine translation made by TreeAlive, not by the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed; it has not been checked by a person. Where the two differ, the original is the record. Report a translation error: privacy@treealive.com

Description

Introduction

Courthouse built between 1879 and 1882 according to designs by national architect JOHAN FREDERIK METZELAAR (1818-1897). The monumental building is prominently situated on a site between the southwestern part of the Tiel city centre and the Waal. This area still possesses the remnants of the former Plantage, a walking area from the end of the 18th century behind the building Bellevue, such as park-like greenery, monumental trees and a water feature. To the north of the building is a post-war zoo. In front of the building the continuing Nieuwe Tielseweg makes a bend.

The building is characterised by a monumental design on a substantial basement and the use of a mixture of internationally oriented Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Classicism, with lavish detailing that appears eclectic. It is one of the most richly executed justice buildings in Metzelaar's oeuvre and a typical example of nineteenth-century Dutch state architecture.

Originally the building was erected to house both the district court and the cantonal court (until 1934). Currently the building is in use by three separate services, namely the Cantonal Court, the State Investigation Service and the Plant Protection Service. In 1996 a large-scale restoration and renovation was completed according to plans by architect Otto van Dijk whereby the building was adapted in accordance with the new requirements of the users. Thus the basement storey was deepened and converted into office space and changes were made to the corridor structure. During this work, the ceiling and wall paintings were also partially exposed.

Description

The COURTHOUSE has a rectangular main form and comprises between two transversely placed monumental wings a three-aisled arrangement of a high courtroom flanked on either side by a lower wing. The whole is constructed on a basement storey and the monumental parts above this are two storeys high, covered by gabled roofs between spout gables. The two-storey high courtroom has a gabled roof between pointed gables and the two single-storey parts are likewise covered by a gabled roof. The slopes of the gabled roofs are covered with slate in Dutch bond, the ridges are provided with wrought-iron crêtes. Water drainage takes place via gutters in the form of profiled cornices. The building derives its character particularly from the alternation of high and low volumes and the rich use of facade components in white cement stone, which contrasts sharply with the facades executed in red brick (cross bond). Within the facades a strict symmetry is maintained. Cement stone is used for decorative elements such as banding, drip mouldings and cordon lines and corner stones. Sandstone is found among others in the arch work of the main entrance. In arches, friezes and decorative surfaces below the windows ornamental brickwork is applied executed in yellow and red brick and diamond-shaped black cement stone blocks. The facades have throughout a rendered plinth zone terminated with a drip moulding. The plinth has an encircling base of ashlar blocks with a rusticated surface, and corner stones at the corners of the facade and the projecting sections. These corner stones have an incised relief at the level of the plinth. The predominantly used window form is the multi-part arch window, usually with two casements or tripartite, with a now modified but originally sliding centre pane. The windows have sandstone cills and most windows are surrounded at the top by relieving arches with facing brick, which are provided with rendered relieving and closing stones. Some windows are more elaborately surrounded by cement stone pilasters and consoles. The facades are terminated throughout by a principal cornice consisting of an architrave, a frieze executed in ornamental brickwork with triglyphs and a gutter in the form of a cornice borne by modillion-like consoles with lion masks. The symmetrically arranged FRONT FACADE is articulated horizontally by cordon lines and banding. The facade is divided into a broad bay on either side of a projecting central section of five bays, of which the central three bays project again and are terminated with a projecting roof panel with pediment. The corners of the facade and the projecting sections are emphasised by pilasters in ashlar bond (first storey) or with cuffs (second storey). The central three bays form a recessed entrance portico that opens outwards through three coupled arches on sandstone round columns. The columns have a decorated shaft and capitals. The arches are executed with sandstone voussoirs and a decorated keystone. On the corners of the pediment akroteria are attached and the pediment is filled with a painted allegorical representation in Greek style. The facade axes are filled by windows of the already described type under round arches, whereby those in the central section are separated from each other by extra pilasters. The building is entered from the portico through three double panel doors under round arch-shaped fanlights. The doors are separated from each other by ashlar pilasters. A monumental flight of stairs of two times five steps leads to the portico, within natural stone balustrades. The symmetrically arranged RIGHT SIDE FACADE is structurally identical to the LEFT SIDE FACADE and consists of a low central part between the high parts terminated with spout gables. These high parts possess the same articulation in cement stone as the front facade and have a projecting window section that runs through all storeys. The window section consists on the first storey of a window between decorated pilasters. The second storey has a window with balcony, closed off with a crowning in the form of a principal cornice that again bears the surround of the attic window. The lower middle part consists of bays with windows, separated from each other by pilasters. This creates the impression of a round arch arrangement. The decorated keystones of the arches and the capitals of the pilasters bear a principal cornice consisting of an architrave, consoles in the form of lion heads and metopes filled with ornamental brickwork. The whole is terminated by a cornice and gutter. The RIGHT and LEFT SIDE FACADES of the courtroom projecting above the lower wings are now rendered and divided into three axes, with in each axis two round arch windows for light entry. The facades are terminated by a principal cornice with a gutter in cement stone. The REAR FACADE is in comparison with the front facade very soberly executed and consists of 7 bays with windows as described. The central five bays form herein a central projecting section under a projecting roof panel. The decoration is limited to a band executed in ornamental brickwork between the first and second storey and a few soberly decorated relieving arches above the facade openings. In the plinth zone there are some differing window forms and an access door. The INTERIOR has retained more or less the original main structure, which consisted of rooms in four wings along corridors around the central courtroom. The changes include among others the removal of partition walls in the corridors and the modification of the stairwells. Among the retained original elements are the wall and ceiling paintings partially exposed during the restoration in the corridors, executed in stencil technique. These paintings are provided with mottoes that refer to the function of the building. The corridors still possess the original flooring and are divided by means of barrel vaults on pilasters into bays. Between the barrel vaults are cross vaults. The original panel doors are still present. The courtroom is largely intact, and is still provided with part of the original furnishings. The room possesses rich panelling, painted walls and a painted coffered ceiling.

Valuation

COURTHOUSE designed by J.F. METZELAAR completed in 1882.

- Of architectural-historical value as a well and faithfully preserved example of a courthouse from the end of the nineteenth century, which stands out due to special aesthetic qualities in interior and exterior which are expressed among other things in the typologically special main form of the building and the rich, internationally oriented Neo-Renaissance execution. The building is a typical example of 'state architecture' through the applied style and through the placement of the building on a high plinth zone executed in rusticated style. The building is furthermore important within the oeuvre of national architect Metzelaar, as one of the most richly executed justice buildings that he designed in the last quarter of the nineteenth century for Dutch cities. The interior is important among other things because of the finely executed courtroom which is still largely in its original state and provided with panelling and ceiling and wall paintings.

- Of urban design value because of the prominent location of the building, whereby it plays an image-defining role in the southwestern city quarter between the city centre and the Waal embankment.

- Of cultural-historical value because of the function of the building within the history of the judicial apparatus in the Netherlands.