In communities across the nation—from small towns to major urban centers—the courthouse constitutes a specific architecture, rich in symbolic importance and functional pragmatism.  It holds its position as a prominent community icon and yet must be suitable to fulfill the rigorous day-to-day activities of a court.  With such a deep cultural significance and multifaceted applications, the courthouse is entitled to a fresh look, an investigation confirming or denying the standard archetype.  The result: a new order in courthouse design.  While researching the essence of a courthouse a few characteristics become apparent.  First, the building is generally comprised of material that exhibits strength and stability, usually a form of stone.  Second, a general lack of visual permeability greatly prohibits a sense of community accessibility.  With these characteristics in mind, a conceptual understanding of the courthouse began to take root.

AIAS / Kawneer Competition - 1st Place

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