Fentress Blog

During recent courthouse space programming efforts, the attorney/prisoner interview room has been a hot topic. Historically, the attorney/prisoner interview room, if one even exists, has been located in the basement within the central cellblock. While it is certainly appropriate to locate...

If nothing else, 2020 has been a year that has required great flexibility. We have seen many industries adapt to restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. From restaurants to doctors’ offices to big business, most have had to change their physical space or their way of delivering...

I’ve been troubled by recent events outside of the federal courthouse in Portland, Oregon, and across this country. Sadly, while most of the protests have been peaceful, some folks are taking advantage of the right to protest by initiating violence. As a result, lives are being lost and...

I was recently working on a space needs assessment for a new courthouse. The team had really gelled and we had made great progress on determining the space requirements and collaborating on the design. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Needless to say, the brakes were quickly put on the project...

 In my experience as a courtroom planning consultant, I’ve had the opportunity to plan for many types and styles of courtrooms. While there are many different issues regarding courtroom design – including sightlines, furniture options, and access requirements – the focus of this blog will be on...