Objectivity is the bedrock of the American judicial process. We expect the judicial process to be fair and impartial. Should we expect anything less when we plan and design the court facilities that support this process? It’s no surprise that opinions on architecture can be very subjective. From...

Problem-solving courts that develop programs to successfully reintegrate parolees into the community and reduce recidivism rates have been an emerging trend in the American judicial system in recent decades. But do traditional courthouses – and the traditional courtroom layout – work for these...

Planning for courthouses has been our bread and butter for almost 30 years. During this time, we have helped numerous federal, state, and local courts strategically plan for future space needs. But what exactly is a court planning consultant, and how does courthouse planning differ from basic...

When I first started my career, I worked in the case assignment section of a county court clerk’s office. The office provided an employee breakroom and, to be kind, our courthouse staff breakroom was downright awful. It was an adequately sized rectangular room with windows along one wall, so...

A new courthouse is a desirable solution for courts that are out of space or live with an aging courthouse that doesn’t easily accommodate changing technologies and processes. Unfortunately, it’s rarely that easy, especially considering that new courthouse construction can cost tens or hundreds of...