The new courthouse stands as a new civic landmark in downtown Porterville, welcoming patrons with a design that represents an open, transparent and engaging court process. The justice center provides administrative offices, public waiting areas, judicial support spaces and community outreach space to support nine natural light-filled courtrooms.
Serving a large non-English-speaking clientele, intuitive wayfinding and orientation were important design considerations; large expanses of glass connect the exterior courtyard with internal corridors, allowing visitors to use the courtyard as a point of reference while navigating building levels without relying on signage. At the interior, a complement of self-service resource rooms, a childcare center and terraces are provided within a secure environment.
“This courthouse, literally and figuratively, is at the center of the community.”
Hon. Steven Jahr, Former Administrative Director of the Courts
Project Name
Porterville Courthouse
Size
96,500 GSF
Client
Superior Court of Tulare County
Completion Date
2013
Services
Site Feasibility Study, Programming, Architecture, Interior Design
Location
Porterville, CA
Awards
- The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture & Design, 2015 American Architecture Award
- AIA/AAJ (Academy of Architecture for Justice), 2015 Citation
