Constitutional Court of the State of Hesse

The listed houses, which were built in the style of Biedermeier in the 1830s, were in poor constructional condition prior to the renovation work. In addition to the necessary renovation, which required a dismantling of the houses to the framing, the interior was adjusted to the specific needs of the state constitutional court and the facades’ original condition was restored.

A two-story foyer is located in between the two houses. Thanks to the independent construction of the foyer that follows the principle of a four-legged table, the gable facades of the existing buildings remain visible. This measure shall demonstrate that the two houses were formerly solitary buildings and not accessed from the street but from the clearance in between. The anti-glare glazed facade of the foyer supports this effect with its high transparency.

The interior design of the state constitutional court is contemporary, while pertaining the Biedermeier aura, an era that is characterized by objectivity and simplicity. In contrast to Baroque for example, Biedermeier furniture is not painted and subsequently gold-plated, but remains in its original materiality. The technical capabilities and the qualities in the manufacturing process of an object should be expressed in its pure simplicity. The vivid monochrome colors of the walls have also been typical for the epoch. The interior design follows these basic rules: all doors and built-ins are made of transparently varnished oak. They are manufactured individually, precise in detail and represent sophisticated handicraft. Oak parquet floors and a natural stone variety as well as deep wall colors provide each room with its respective character.