The new 11-story Durham County Courthouse effectively consolidates all judicial functions into one central location creating a cohesive judicial campus in downtown Raleigh, NC. The design incorporates an array of features focused on efficiency, functionality and energy use. SLAM (formerly Heery) collaborated with local architects and engineers O’Brien Atkins Associates.
The county of Durham desired a building that would serve as the keystone for a complex of government buildings that straddle the rail line along the edge of southern downtown, as well as a central location for all dislocated judicial functions.
On the primary approach to downtown Raleigh, NC, the new stately courthouse, with a terraced public plaza, stands tall in the foreground of the existing jail building, providing a formal setting and space in the procession of other government facilities.
The court floor is organized as pairs of courtrooms served by a secured inmate holding area. This linear plan provides four courtrooms per floor.
The challenge and subsequent success of combining judicial and government functions into a multi-use, high rise, state of the art civic structure rests entirely with having the right team. The collaborative team approach exceeded expectations in quality construction, schedule, and financial stewardship. The result is an outstanding, iconic facility whose elegance and grandeur will serve Durham County citizens for the next century.