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 the...

Ramp or lift? That’s the question an architect or planner must ask when deciding how to make all portions of the courtroom fully accessible to court participants. Motorized lifts are costly but can take up less space than floor ramps, which can obstruct circulation. However, by integrating...

Having a courtroom layout that provides sufficient space for each type of user is critical. The courtroom is the location where three separate circulation zones intersect: public circulation for spectators, family members, and litigators; restricted circulation for the judge, court staff, and jury;...

A common challenge in existing courthouses is constructing a new courtroom to accommodate growth in judges. Many existing courthouses, especially older facilities, have space constraints such as narrow column spans, lack of secure circulation pathways, and lack of vacant and available space, which...

The judge’s bench is a primary element of courtroom design. The bench is usually elevated as a prominent central feature at the front of the courtroom. However, there is an emerging architectural movement to design more open and user-friendly courthouses. Why not consider lowering the judge’s bench...