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Architect’s Statement
The new courthouse design creates civic presence in the local
community, knitting together program goals, permanence, and
transparency, on a tight urban site in an open yet secure
environment. Located in a main central business district, the
building is envisioned as a solid masonry mass, carved open in one
corner to reveal a five-story, light-filled public galleria that
orients to a major entry court. The landscape develops a ring of
plantings that arc across the site, creating universal access for
all while allowing the neighboring buildings to engage with the new
courthouse. This design maximizes natural light for all courtrooms,
users, and visitors. It contains 153,000 square feet, with court
support functions located in the entrance level; transaction
offices are on levels 2 and 3, with eight of the courtrooms on the
fourth and fifth floors. Exterior will be in granite, glass, and
steel; interiors will be a combination of granite and wood. The
building is contemporary yet built on tradition. Community and
dignity are guiding design principles—community, respecting
who views and uses the court; dignity, a building that reflects our
rule of law.
Owner
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Capital Asset
Management
Boston
Data
Type of facility:
Courthouse
Type of construction:
New
Site area:
1.83 acres
Area of building:
153,000 GSF
Capacity:
9 courts
Estimated cost of construction:
$64 million
Status of project:
Construction documents phase, estimated completion 2009
Credits
Architect
Finegold Alexander + Associates Inc.
Boston
Structural engineer
Richmond So Engineers Inc.
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Mechanical and electrical engineers
ARUP
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Civil engineer
Mistry Associates Inc.
Reading, Massachusetts
Code consultant
Norton S. Remmer Consulting Engineers
Worcester, Massachusetts
Signage consultant
Coco Raynes Associates Inc.
Boston
Acoustics consultant
Acentech Inc.
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Landscape architect
Carol R. Johnson Associates Inc.
Boston
Lighting consultant
Collaborative Lighting LLC
Concord, Massachusetts
Interior design consultant
Lucas Stefura Interiors
Boston
Cost consultant
Faithful & Gould
Boston
Specifications writer
Kalin Associates Inc.
Newton, Massachusetts
LEED/sustainable design consultant
The Green Engineer
Acton, Massachusetts
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