One of Edmonton's most notable brutalist complexes from the 1970s is getting a bit of a shine with the construction of a new glassy atrium connecting the two buildings.

Law Courts Galleria construction from City Hall, photo by Dave Sutherland

Next Architecture was retained by Alberta Infrastructure to design a Galleria to replace the 40-year-old atrium that currently connects the two halves of the Edmonton Law Courts.

Rendering of Law Courts Galleria, image via Next Architecture

The new curtainwall structure is being constructed around the existing atrium, which will then be dismantled from within the new canopy. This staging allows the buildings to continue to be used with relatively little disruption.

Old Law Courts atrium, image via Google Street View

Construction began on the project in mid-2018, and involved carefully removing parts of the cast concrete exterior - an important aspect of the original architecture - to accommodate the new structure. The project is expected to be complete in 2020.

Law Courts Galleria construction, photo by Dave Sutherland

SkyriseEdmonton will continue to follow this project as it progresses. What do you think of the Law Courts Galleria project? Leave a comment below, or join the discussion in our Forum. More information and images can also be found in our project Database.