2006
Embodying the historical basis of our legal code, a classical tower form reflects the solidity of our judicial system, as well as the system’s openness to the needs of future generations. A symbolic lantern core acts as a beacon for visitors, a symbol of justice.
This design included the centrally located monolithic sculpture, the paving plan of the plaza, and the seating design of 12 concentric granite benches inscribed with various quotes from epic law documents. The text rings originate in the tower and radiate out into the surrounding plaza, continuing within two rings of inscribed granite benches.
Detail – A detail view of the three concentric “text rings” embedded within the tower matrix. Each ring is inscribed with a separate quote in its original language that was pivotal to the formation of our own legal system. The rings contain quotes from Confucius, Exodus, and the Code of the Hammurabi. The 12 surrounding benches contain more modern quotes in English that were landmark legal decisions that created social change.
