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...

Designing and operating a courthouse requires more than courtrooms and chambers—it demands a carefully choreographed security strategy. One of the most critical components of that strategy is the secure movement of detainees. From arrival to courtroom appearance and back again, every step must be...

 Vibrant ceramic panels catching natural light in a double-height lobby. Monumental sculptural forms standing quietly in a civic plaza. Rotating exhibitions lining the walls of a jury assembly space.

When art is thoughtfully integrated into a courthouse, the building feels different right away.