The COVID-19 pandemic significantly changed the judicial system and courthouse planning. Court administrators often ask which operational changes from the pandemic are still in use and how they affect space requirements for new courthouses. During the crisis, courts focused on administering justice...

Effective courtroom design is pivotal in facilitating fair and efficient legal proceedings. Each participant in a court proceeding—judge, clerk, witness, juror, and attorney—needs a well-planned workspace to do their job effectively. 

As a court planner, I am frequently involved in the initial planning stages of new courthouses. Clients often respond that incorporating daylighting is important when considering design goals. I couldn't agree more. In my view, one location offers the best potential for incorporating daylight—the...

As a court planner, I am frequently faced with helping clients understand whether or not their historic courthouse is a viable long-term housing solution for them.  The challenges faced by courts who operate in older courthouses highlight a common dilemma that I see across the country. 

I have to acknowledge a struggle I have been dealing with for the last two years as a court planner. Will courts embrace the technologies that arose during the pandemic and reduce the size and number of courtrooms, or will they maintain the status quo?