Justice and Transparency in China Part 2 Project 2011 Marcus Andren University of East London London | UK China has recently become a major part of the global economy and the global community. As such it’s government is acutely aware of its position in relation to human rights and the media’s ability to globally publicise events for international scrutiny.One area that has been heavily criticised is the legal system and particularly its injustice and corruption. There was a nationwide initiative started in 2006 with a semi autonomous organisation set up to find and bring corrupt legal professionals to justice.These top down changes to the legal system are simultaneously met with equally significant bottom up changes occurring across many grassroots courts (the lowest tier of court). This Legal Centre proposes an extension of the ongoing progress within courts, complementing both top down and bottom up changes. This is explored primarily through the envelope, it’s geometry and materiality actively acting at the buildings main political element.A double skin facade folds and delaminates to create all internal and external spaces, with variny levels of insulation, privacy, or potential occupation.Over time the legal centre becomes inhabited and occupied by migrant workers from within the village. It is of no interest to some, just a building on the way to somewhere else, however the geometry and materiality perpetually expose as much of the legal process as often as possible, donating large parts of the building to public space, available for any kind of inhabitation and appropriation, be it protests or markets. It is through this proximity and daily contact the legal cente becomes understood. Advertising its puropse and intention quietly to those around it and raising everyones knowledge of their rights and the legal process that must occur when their rights are questioned.The significance of this within the context of China is the courts ability to exact a fair justice, of an international standard, without the explicit intervention and intention of the government. The laws that are followed are of course the governments responsibility, however an eradication of corruption and fair representation within courts alone would give China a vastly improved international image. Tutor(s)Mr Robert Thum