Before a courthouse becomes a symbol or a skyline feature, it is first experienced as a place. As human geographer Yi-Fu Tuan observed, space becomes place through lived experience—through movement, memory, meaning, and use over time. 

When visitors walk into a new courthouse, they often notice the grand lobby, the flood of natural light, or the sense of civic dignity that the architecture conveys. What they don’t see is the data analysis that shaped every square foot of that space.

Courtrooms, long associated with tradition, formality, and paper-heavy proceedings, are now undergoing a gradual digital transformation. In courts across the nation, “smart courtrooms” are emerging—spaces equipped with advanced technologies that are reshaping how justice is delivered. 

As the justice system evolves to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world, so too must the buildings that house it. The concept of a "smart courthouse exterior" goes beyond aesthetics—it integrates technology, sustainability, security, and public accessibility right from the building’s facade...

Courthouses are evolving, and technology is at the heart of this transformation. These advancements are improving courthouse security and operations, promoting sustainability, and enhancing the experience for citizens navigating the justice system.