Durham County Courthouse

Rich natural materials portray the civic nature of the courthouse at different scales. A slate-clad stair tower extends vertically to offer prominence to the building from the Durham Freeway. The corner of the parking deck is clad in the same slate, to connect this distant view to the vehicular approach.

Slate wraps the pedestrian entry pavilion, broken by punched windows from the jury pool and openings at grade between slate columns grounded by granite bases. Granite is used on other site elements, such as the site walls and monumental steps that frame the entry pavilion.

The public procession is a study in the balance of security and openness. Security screening is integrated into the main entry pavilion. Beyond the queue and screening, the lobby opens into a double-height space focused on an exposed stair and mosaic art wall. Southern exposure and large expanses of glass provide brightness to these large public spaces. The stair connects the most heavily trafficked first three floors of the building, reducing elevator usage to conserve energy.

The building takes advantage of the southern exposure and introduces natural light into the public galleries serving the courtrooms. The full length glass and integrated light shelf emits daylight deep into the internal courtrooms through a clerestory window system that runs the length of the public corridor. In addition the three largest courtrooms are located on the western end of the building which allows for a large expanse of glazing and views of the city.

Balanced by perforated acoustical wall panels, rich FSC-certified wood veneer panels bring warmth and civility to the courtrooms.

Matching slate from the outside of the building carries through the courtroom vestibules and into the focal wall of each courtroom. The combination of warm and rich materials with the open rail between spectator seating and the well breaks down the traditional hierarchy and encourages civil behavior in the courtroom.