International records / OpenAlex research

Monumentality, Authority, and the Architecture of Justice: Examining the Characteristics of Monumental Architecture in Judicial Buildings

Judicial buildings serve not only as functional spaces for legal proceedings but also as physical representations of justice, authority, and institutional legitimacy. Through monumental architectural qualities such as scale, symbolism, spatial hierarchy, and material expression, court buildings can communicate the significance and permanence of the judicial institution while shaping public perception and behaviour. However, many judicial facilities in Nigeria appear to prioritize functionality over symbolic architectural expression, potentially limiting their ability to project authority and r…