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The result, completed in 1992, appears monumental in its fairly isolated place in the new government compound, yet the Supreme Court does not dwarf human beings.

"In the Bible," comments Karmi-Melamede, "justice is figuratively described as a circle and associated with the sky. It is an absolute value to be forever pursued and never fully attained. By contrast, law and truth are described as a line and viewed as man-made concepts, associated with the earth and subject to changing perceptions of the world."

She continues: "The tension between the line and the circle, like the tension between earth and sky, suggests that truth is relative and law forever changing." Throughout the building, circles and semicircles mix with straight lines.

Another contrast immediately visible to the visitor is the juxtaposition of rough-hewn Jerusalem stone on some of the walls, giving the area an "exterior" appearance, opposite simple white modern plaster "interior" walls.

Aside from beechwood from Denmark, teakwood from Myanmar, and some white Carrera marble from Italy, all materials are native.

A Temple to Justice

The building's architectures makes reference to much that is ancient in Jerusalem: tombs, temples, gates, and archways. For instance, the pyramid at the formal entrance was inspired by Zechariah's Tomb and Yad Avshalom. But the building also makes reference to the 20th-century International Style found abundantly in Israel's cities.

The visitor pauses almost automatically at the copper clad pyramid. From its tapered apex descends a changing column of light. This streak highlights the multicolored square-in-diamond-shaped marble entrance floor — created by Ram Karmi's daughter Tal — a design recurring in Middle Eastern decorations.

The Karmis speak through this building simultaneously in several architectural languages: abstract, modern, and historical. And their design has managed, thoughtfully and pragmatically, to satisfy the needs of all the building's users, including the lawyers, judges, court employees, the participants in trials, and the general public.

The five courtrooms are accessible by separate, three-tiered portals. This is believed to be similar to the access to ancient temples. Two of the courtrooms seat 40 onlookers, two others can hold 70 each, and the central one has seating for 150.

Each courtroom has specified places for the 14 Supreme Court justices and for lawyers, journalists, and prisoners. The prisoners are brought by a special elevator directly to their allotted area.

Each courtroom is designed like a basilica — an ancient Roman courtroom — with columns and a vaulted ceiling. Each receives indirect daylight and is furnished with richly fashioned wooden benches.   >>>

Aerial view of the Supreme Court building in Jerusalem, designed by Ram Karmi and Ada Karmi-Melamede. Photo: Richard Bryant A window facing west and south. The top of the pyramid is visible to the left. Photo: Richard Bryant An arcade of flat arches along the route to the Knesset. Photo: Richard Bryant Main entrance to Supreme Court building. Photo: Richard Bryant Site plan. Image: Ram Karmi and Ada Karmi-Melamede Entrance-level floor plan with reception and multi-purpose auditorium. Image: Ram Karmi and Ada Karmi-Melamede Public-level floor plan with library, inner gate, courtrooms, administration, and judges' courtyard. Image: Ram Karmi and Ada Karmi-Melamede Judges' level floor plan. Image: Ram Karmi and Ada Karmi-Melamede   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.