The design of the planned San Benito County Courthouse is being
recognized for excellence by the American Institute of Architects’
Academy of Architecture for Justice.
The design of the planned San Benito County Courthouse is being recognized for excellence by the American Institute of Architects’ Academy of Architecture for Justice.
The courthouse will receive a citation – the highest commendation from the academy – for its design by SmithGroup Architects of San Francisco. The organization made its selection from an international pool of nearly 100 projects. The design of a new courthouse in Stockton also was honored.
San Benito County Superior Court Judge Steven Sanders said the award is “extremely satisfying” for two reasons: The design of the courthouse “is the result of intense collaborative efforts” and “the goal of developing a design for our community that is accessible, functional and visually appealing appears well on the way to being met.”
The planned two-story structure will contain three courtrooms, a jury assembly room that can also function as a hearing room, a centrally-located public counter and family court services. It will provide security improvements along with nearly double the court administration space available in the current courthouse, built in 1962.
The design features a glass and steel exterior with a passive solar awning and a courtyard landscaped with native plants.
