Considerations for facility planning & design

Courthouse architecture should reflect the societal values and concepts of justice. In general, the design should: 

• Build public trust and confidence by projecting an image of transparency, openness, balance, fairness, and dignity.
• Reinforce the judicial system's independence and stability with a distinctive design.
• Be easily understandable and accessible to all visitors and court users.
• Reflect the community's traditions and culture. 

Designs should create an appropriate environment for courtrooms, support areas, and related offices. Spaces must promote efficient operations by considering workflow, adjacencies, and circulation zones. 

The functional relationship between spaces and how people move through the building promotes a better service environment, enhances security, and reduces stress on building infrastructure. 

Circulation zones support the need for specialized circulation patterns and are a primary characteristic that distinguishes courthouses from more generic building types, such as office buildings. Courthouses require three separate and distinct zones of circulation: public, restricted (staff), and secured (persons in-custody). The organization of these circulation zones may vary depending on the nature and location of de­partments and uses within the building.

Courthouses must be accessible to everyone, regardless of age or disability, reinforcing principles of openness and fairness. Based on the "Seven Principles of Universal Design," considerations include:

• Equitable use
• Flexibility in use
• Simple and intuitive use
• Perceptible information
• Tolerance of error
• Low physical effort
• Size and space for approach and use

Effective signage — used in both new construction and renovations — answers questions before they are asked, reducing confusion and promoting goodwill with the public. A well-designed wayfinding system also enhances accessibility for individuals with low literacy or those experiencing stress, intimidation, or anxiety. 

The courthouse should provide an environment where court proceedings can take place safely and with dignity, minimizing danger to the judiciary, staff, and public. Judges, court employees, victims, witnesses, the accused and their families, attorneys, and the public.

Security measures should be visible yet unobtrusive. Security considerations should be integrated into all components of the design, including:

• Technology
• Exterior features
• Physical infrastructure for specific components within the courthouse (e.g., building entry, courtrooms, chambers, clerk areas, etc.)

Current and evolving technologies present significant opportunities and challenges for space planning projects. As courts become increasingly reliant on new tools, their operations will continue to transform. 

Technology considerations include:

• Video Docketing Systems (VDS)
• Remote and Hybrid Courtroom Proceedings
• Consultation, Support, and Education
• Courtroom Proceedings - Evidence Presentation Systems
• Courtroom Proceedings - Sound Reinforcement Systems
• Floor Cabling Systems
• Public Access to Court Services
• Case and Records Processing – Automation, Imaging, and Workflow
• Case Processing - Workstation Technology
• Future Implementation of Technology 

All courthouses should be built to accommodate future changes and growth. This requires buildings that can be easily expanded, spaces that can serve multiple purposes, and areas that can adapt over time to new uses and needs. 

Space considerations include:

• Physical expansion
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Strategies for accommodating future growth
• Remodeling considerations 

Courthouses should be designed to incorporate sustainable design principles, including informed choices about the building site, materials, and water/energy efficiency. Sustainable building strategies, as published by the U.S. Green Building Council, include the following:

• Location and transportation
• Sustainable sites
• Water efficiency
• Energy and atmosphere
• Materials and resources
• Indoor environmental quality
• Project Innovation

Interior and exterior lighting should be thoughtfully designed in accordance with accepted illumination level criteria for various functional areas inside the courthouse.

Direct lighting, indirect lighting, and lighting from ceiling, wall or floor-mounted fixtures should be integrated to achieve optimal illumination levels.

Natural lighting is highly desirable for a multitude of reasons and should be incorporated into the interior lighting design wherever possible.

When designing a courthouse, careful consideration should be given to the acoustic performance, which includes both acoustic isolation (reducing sound transmission between spaces) and acoustic control (managing the quality of sound within a space).

Elements addressed include:

• Acoustic Isolation
• Acoustic Control
• Courtroom Acoustics
• Minimizing Acoustical Impact of HVAC Equipment 

Ergonomic standards promote productivity, safety, and health in the workplace. Because court staff spend prolonged periods at their workstations, careful consideration should be given to workstations and seating to reduce the risk of painful, debilitating conditions.