It started with a contradiction.

Over the past two decades, one fast-growing county where we were engaged to perform court planning had added tens of thousands of residents. As part of our work, we examined the trends shaping the courts and the broader community. New subdivisions replaced open...

 Across the United States, courthouse construction doesn’t always align with long-term needs. Some jurisdictions build facilities with more space than they ultimately use, while others face crowded courtrooms and limited space for judges, staff, and the public.

Courthouses are commonly associated with formal legal proceedings, complex legal language, and critical decisions. Nevertheless, for many individuals, walking into a courthouse is not solely about following legal protocols. It is an emotional experience that can be nerve-wracking, intimidating, or...

When people think about security, they often picture cameras, alarms, and locked doors. While these tools are important, they are only one part of a comprehensive approach to safety. How a property is designed, organized, and maintained can be just as critical in preventing incidents and promoting...

Evacuations are among the most critical emergency responses a school can conduct. While emergencies themselves may be uncommon, the need to clear a building quickly and safely can arise without warning. In those moments, every second matters.