Renovations included the existing courthouse, addition of new courtrooms and parking, conversion of historic library to court use, conversion of existing retail building to post office, construction of glazed entry link building. Total area = 164,565 sq. ft.
This Courthouse renovation and expansion is part of the G.S.A.’s nationwide program of Court Building. It is also part of the G.S.A.’s design quality program which strives to maintain a high level of quality for Federal Buildings. DPK&A won this commission in a design competition with James Winkler as the designer. The design takes an innovative approach by converting an existing library to court use, adding two new court sets to the back of the existing court building, and by providing a great glazed entry hall linking old and new construction into a unified campus. Another important feature of the design is the conversion of an existing commercial building into a Post Office, there by maintaining important street frontage on State Street. The materials of the addition combine materials of the existing buildings into a modern composition which is sympathetic to the existing. The prominent entry courtyard provides an important public space element facing Perry Square, the symbolic heart of the City.
James Winkler AIA, was the Project Manager and Designer while at DPK&A.
