4_-_U.S._Courts_Design_Guide.pdf

U . S . C o u r t s D e s i g n G u i d e l 2 0 0 7 Ac k n o w l e d g m e n t s l i

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The U.S. Courts Design Guide is dedicated to

The Honorable Robert S. Vance

1931–1989

United States Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit

Judge Vance was the first chairman of the

Space and Facilities Committee of the

Judicial Conference of the United States. His leadership significantly influenced the development of the Design Guide and the future of the federal judiciary.

f The 2007 Edition The Judicial Conference thanks the following judges of (formerly the Committee on Security and Facilities), the Committee on Space and Facilities, and the Subcommittee on Space Standards for their support, time, and expertise in reviewing drafts of the 2007 edition of the Design Guide.

f Committee on Space and Facilities Honorable Joseph F. Bataillon, United States District Court Chief Judge, District of Nebraska, 2001–2006, Chair (2006–Present)

Honorable Jane R. Roth, United States Court of Appeals Judge, Third Circuit, 1996–2006, Chair (1999–2006)

Honorable Hayden W. Head, Jr., United States District Court Judge, Southern District of Texas, 2002–2006

Honorable Henry E. Hudson, United States District Court Judge, Eastern District of Virginia, 2004–2005

Honorable Alan Kay, United States Magistrate Judge, District of Columbia, 2002–2008

Honorable Terence C. Kern, United States District Court Chief Judge, Northern District of Oklahoma, 2000–2006

Honorable Joe Billy McDade, United States District Court Chief Judge, Central District of Illinois, 2001–2007

Honorable Stephen M. McNamee, United States District Court Chief Judge, District of Arizona, 2001–2005

Honorable Henry Coke Morgan, Jr., United States District Court Judge, Eastern District of Virginia, 2000–2006

Honorable Margaret M. Morrow, United States District Court Judge, Central District of California, 2005–2008

Honorable George B. Nielsen, Jr., United States Bankruptcy Court Chief Judge, District of Arizona, 1998–2004

Honorable Kathleen M. O’Malley, United States District Court Judge, Northern District of Ohio, 2005–2008

Honorable George A. O’Toole, Jr., United States District Court Judge, District of Massachusetts, 1999–2005

Honorable Barrington D. Parker, Jr., United States Court of Appeals Judge, Second Circuit, 2000–2005

Honorable Maurice M. Paul, United States District Court Judge, Northern District of Florida, 2002–2008

Honorable Edmund A. Sargus, Jr., United States District Court Judge, Southern District of Ohio, 2002–2005

Honorable Richard G. Stearns, United States District Court Judge, District of Massachusetts, 2005–2008

Honorable Thomas M. Weaver, United States Bankruptcy Court Chief Judge, Western District of Oklahoma, 2004–2007

Honorable Richard C. Wesley, United States Court of Appeals Judge, Second Circuit, 2005–2007 i i I Ac k n o w l e d g m e n t s U . S . C o u r t s D e s i g n G u i d e l 2 0 0 7 f Subcommittee on Space Standards Honorable Joseph F. Bataillon, United States District Court Chief Judge, District of Nebraska, Chair (2004-2006)

Honorable Richard C. Wesley, United States Court of Appeals Judge, Central Second Circuit, Chair (2006–Present)

Honorable Joe Billy McDade, United States District Court Chief Judge, Central District of Illinois

Honorable Henry Coke Morgan, Jr., United States District Court Judge, Eastern District of Virginia

Honorable Margaret M. Morrow, United States District Court Judge, Central District of California

Honorable Kathleen M. O’Malley, United States District Court Judge, Northern District of Ohio

Honorable Barrington D. Parker, Jr., United States Court of Appeals Judge, Second Circuit

The following judges are acknowledged for their dedicated efforts in developing the first edition of the Design Guide.

f Former Committee Members Honorable Robert C. Broomfield, United States District Court Judge, District of Arizona

Honorable Israel Leo Glasser, United States District Court Judge, Eastern District of New York

Honorable Michael S. Kanne, United States Court of Appeals Judge, Seventh Circuit

Honorable Thomas Harley Kingsmill, United States Bankruptcy Court Judge, Eastern District of Louisiana

Honorable James M. Rosenbaum, United State District Court Chief Judge, District of Minnesota f Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts The Judicial Conference appreciates the efforts of James C. Duff, Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, and the Office of Facilities and Security staff of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts and thanks them for their coordination, administration, and expertise in implementing the 2007 edition of the Design Guide.

Kathleen Desmond, Administrative Analyst Ross Eisenman, Assistant Director for Facilities and Security Melanie Gilbert, Chief, Security and Facilities Policy Staff Gate Y. Lew, AIA, Senior Architect Claudia (Dee) White, Facilities Program Manager

The Judicial Conference also wishes to thank other staff within the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, circuit and court staff, General Services Administration (GSA) personnel, and private industry consultants for their contributions to the 2007 edition.

f Consultants The Judicial Conference thanks the following individuals from Jacobs who contributed to the preparation of the 2007 edition of the Design Guide.

Mark Fleming Sheila Gobes-Ryan Janet Goodman, AIA Ellen Keable Jim Kessler Karen McCown Tim Scarbrough, AIA Tammy Thomas

U . S . C o u r t s D e s i g n G u i d e l 2 0 0 7 P r e f a c e l i i i

PREFACE

Since the original publication of the U.S. Courts Design Guide in 1991, the federal judicial system has experienced facilities-related problems caused by heightened security needs, automation, significant caseload increases, and fiscal constraints. To address these problems, this fifth edition of the U.S. Courts Design Guide is intended for use by judges, architects, engineers, General Services Administration (GSA) personnel, and court administrators who will be involved in federal court construction projects.

The standards in this edition of the Design Guide are applicable to the design and construction of new buildings and annexes; all new leases; and repair and alteration projects in which new space, including courtrooms and chambers, is planned for an entire court unit.

This edition of the Design Guide was prepared under the direction of the Space and Facilities Committee (formerly the Committee on Security and Facilities) of the Judicial Conference of the United States. The revisions were approved by the Judicial Conference, the policy-making body of the federal court system. This fifth edition replaces all previous editions. Prior to submission to the Judicial Conference for approval, the Design Guide was reviewed by judges, clerks of court, librarians, probation officers, staff attorneys, bankruptcy administrators, circuit and district court executives, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the GSA.

The first edition of the Design Guide was initially developed over three years in a cooperative effort between the federal judiciary and a team of experts in space planning, security, acoustics, mechanical and electrical systems, and automation.

Direction for this effort was provided by the federal judiciary and the National Institute of Building Sciences. During this three-year period, existing court facilities were visited in all regions of the United States. The facility study included small, medium, and large federal court operations.

The Design Guide translates the requirements of the federal judiciary into criteria for the design and construction of court facilities. The Design Guide must keep pace with suggestions for changes arising from the application of criteria in the courts and the construction program administered by the GSA.

A long-term cost-containment initiative and planning objective of the Committee on Space and Facilities is to impose tighter constraints on future space and facilities costs.

In September 2004, the Judicial Conference requested that the Committee achieve this goal by conducting a comprehensive review of the current edition of the Design Guide. This new edition is the result of that comprehensive review.

This edition will ensure that the Design Guide continues to reflect accurately the functional requirements of the courts. It incorporates new criteria in response to current economic constraints so that court facilities will serve the judiciary now and in the future.

Chief Justice of the United States

Summary of Revisions through June 2008 As a living document, the Design Guide mus t keep pace with suggestions for changes, which arise fro m new policies of the Courts and/or new technical criteria intended to keep pace with state-of-the-art construction practices. A summary of changes to the 200 7 edition of the USCDG are listed here.

Chapter 2

General References

• Replaced web link for accessibi lity reference (AO Technical Update 06/08 ) Typical Federal Courthouse Project Development Process

Chapter 4

Approvals for Special Proceedings Courtroom

• Edited special proceedings courtroom paragraph (JCUS Revised March 2008) Tables 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 and 4.5

• Added provisions for Staff Toilets (AO Technical Update 06/0 8)

Chapter 10

Table 10.1

• Added net square feet for Safe under Bankruptcy Appellate Panel (BAP) Clerk (AO Technical Update 06/08)

Chapter 12

Table 12.1

• Changed VIT to VCT under Probation Urinalysis Laboratory (AO Technical Update 06/08 )

Chapter 14

Table 14.2

• Changed criteria for Law Clerks’ Offices to 35 NIC (AO Technical Update 06/08)

Chapter 15

Server Rooms

• Added reference to Table 11.1, Space and Ceiling Requirements for Common Building Space s (AO Technical

Update 06/08) i v I S u m m a r y o f R e v i s i o n s U . S . C o u r t s D e s i g n G u i d e l 2 0 0 7

U . S . C o u r t s D e s i g n G u i d e l 2 0 0 7 T a b l e o f C o n t e n t s l v

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgments ................................................................i

Preface .................................................................................iii

Summary of Revisions .......................................................iv

Table of Contents ................................................................v

Chapter 1 - Introduction and the Federal

Court System.....................................................................1-1

Introduction ....................................................................1-1

Revisions to the Design Guide........................................1-1

Programming and Budgetary Notes................................1-2

How To Use This Book .................................................1-3

The Federal Court System ..............................................1-6

Chapter 2 - Courthouse Programming and

Budgetary Considerations ..............................................2-1

Introduction ....................................................................2-1

Supporting Documents ...................................................2-1

General Cost-Control Strategies ....................................2-3

Value Engineering and Life-Cycle Costing ....................2-7

Typical Federal Courthouse Project

Development Process......................................................2-7

Chapter 3 - Planning for U.S. Courthouses....................3-1

Introduction ....................................................................3-1

Supporting Documents ..................................................3-1

Space Common to All Courts ........................................3-2

Functions of the Three Court Types ..............................3-3

Users and Capacities.......................................................3-4

Barrier-Free Access ........................................................3-4

Space Allocations for Circulation:

Gross vs. Rentable Areas ................................................3-5

Circulation Requirements for Courthouse Areas ............3-7

Courthouse Zoning and Building Circulation ...............3-10

Program Stacking .........................................................3-11

Chapter 4 - Courtrooms and Associated Spaces ...........4-1

Introduction ...................................................................4-1

Supporting Documents ..................................................4-1

Programming and Budgetary Notes................................4-1

Design Requirements, All Courtrooms ..........................4-2

Appellate Courtrooms.....................................................4-5

Functions and Users and Capacities............................4-5

Design Requirements for Appellate Courtrooms ........4-6

Space and Ceiling Requirements for Appellate

Courtrooms and Associated Spaces ............................4-7

Adjacency and Circulation..........................................4-7

District Judge Courtrooms ............................................4-12

Functions and Users and Capacities..........................4-12

Design Requirements for

District Judge Courtrooms ........................................4-13

Space and Ceiling Requirements for District

Judge Courtrooms and Associated Spaces ................4-15

Adjacency and Circulation........................................4-15

Magistrate Judge Courtrooms.......................................4-21

Functions and Users and Capacities..........................4-21

Magistrate Judge Courtrooms ...................................4-22

Space and Ceiling Requirements for Magistrate

Judge Courtrooms and Associated Spaces ................4-24

Adjacency and Circulation........................................4-24

Bankruptcy Judge Courtrooms .....................................4-29

Functions and Users and Capacities..........................4-29

Bankruptcy Judge Courtrooms..................................4-30

Space and Ceiling Requirements for Bankruptcy

Judge Courtrooms and Associated Spaces ................4-31

Adjacency and Circulation........................................4-31

Chapter 5 - Jury Facilities.....................................................................................5-1

Supporting Documents ........................................................................................5-1

Programming and Budgetary Notes .....................................................................5-1

Functions and Activities.......................................................................................5-2

Users and Capacities ............................................................................................5-3

Design Requirements ...........................................................................................5-3

Space and Ceiling Requirements for Jury Facilities.............................................5-5

Adjacency and Circulation...................................................................................5-6

Chapter 6 - Judges’ Chambers Suites .................................................................6-1

Supporting Documents.........................................................................................6-1

Programming and Budgetary Notes .....................................................................6-1

Functions and Activities.......................................................................................6-2

Users and Capacities ............................................................................................6-2

Design Requirements ...........................................................................................6-3

Space and Ceiling Requirements for

Judges’ Chambers Suites .....................................................................................6-5

Adjacency and Circulation...................................................................................6-6

Chapter 7 - Central Court Libraries....................................................................7-1

Supporting Documents ........................................................................................7-1

Programming and Budgetary Notes .....................................................................7-1

Functions and Activities.......................................................................................7-2

Users and Capacities ............................................................................................7-3

Design Requirements ...........................................................................................7-4

Planning Issues.....................................................................................................7-4

Space Allotments .................................................................................................7-5

Space and Ceiling Requirements for Central Court Libraries ..............................7-6

Adjacency and Circulation...................................................................................7-6

Chapter 8 - Clerk’s Office ....................................................................................8-1

Supporting Documents ........................................................................................8-1

Programming and Budgetary Notes .....................................................................8-1

Functions and Activities.......................................................................................8-2

Users and Capacities ............................................................................................8-2

Design Requirements ...........................................................................................8-3

Space and Ceiling Requirements for Court of Appeals Clerks’ Offices ..............8-4

Space and Ceiling Requirements for District and Bankruptcy

Court Clerks’ Offices ...........................................................................................8-5

Adjacency and Circulation ...................................................................................8-6

Chapter 9 - Probation and Pretrial Services Offices ..........................................9-1

Supporting Documents ........................................................................................9-1

Programming and Budgetary Notes .....................................................................9-1

Functions and Activities.......................................................................................9-2

Users and Capacities ............................................................................................9-3

Design Requirements ...........................................................................................9-3

Space and Ceiling Requirements for Probation and Pretrial Services Offices .....9-6

Adjacency and Circulation ...................................................................................9-7

Chapter 10 - Other Court Units .........................................................................10-1

Supporting Documents.......................................................................................10-1

Programming and Budgetary Notes ...................................................................10-1

Functions and Activities.....................................................................................10-2

Users and Capacities ..........................................................................................10-2

Design Requirements .........................................................................................10-3

Space and Ceiling Requirements for Other Court Units ....................................10-4

Adjacency and Circulation .................................................................................10-7

Chapter 11 - Common Building Spaces ............................................................11-1

Supporting Documents.......................................................................................11-1

Functions and Activities.....................................................................................11-1

Users and Capacities ..........................................................................................11-2

Design Requirements .........................................................................................11-3

Space and Ceiling Requirements for Common Building Spaces .......................11-4

Adjacency and Circulation .................................................................................11-5

Chapter 12 - Tenant Improvements and Furnishings ......................................12-1

Introduction........................................................................................................12-1

Supporting Documents.......................................................................................12-1

Programming and Budgetary Notes ...................................................................12-2 v i I T a b l e o f C o n t e n t s U . S . C o u r t s D e s i g n G u i d e l 2 0 0 7

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Tenant Improvements - Interior Finishes........................................................... 12-2

Finish Materials ............................................................................................. 12-2

Design Requirements for Finishes ................................................................ 12-4

Tenant Improvements - Millwork.................................................................... 12-10

Millwork Funding Responsibilities.............................................................. 12-10

Materials Requirements ............................................................................... 12-10

Design Requirements for Millwork ............................................................. 12-10

Furnishings ...................................................................................................... 12-18

Chapter 13 - Interior Signage ............................................................................ 13-1

Introduction ....................................................................................................... 13-1

Supporting Documents ...................................................................................... 13-1

Scope and Budget .............................................................................................. 13-1

Design Requirements......................................................................................... 13-2

Sign Type Samples ............................................................................................ 13-3

Chapter 14 - Acoustics ....................................................................................... 14-1

Introduction ....................................................................................................... 14-1

Supporting Documents ...................................................................................... 14-2

Design Requirements......................................................................................... 14-2

Courtrooms........................................................................................................ 14-7

Jury Facilities .................................................................................................... 14-9

Central Court Libraries...................................................................................... 14-9

Probation and Pretrial Services Offices ............................................................. 14-9

Other Court Units ............................................................................................ 14-10

Chapter 15 – Building Systems ......................................................................... 15-1

Supporting Documents ...................................................................................... 15-1

Governing Codes and Criteria ........................................................................... 15-1

Design, Procurement and Construction Responsibilities ................................... 15-2

Mechanical Systems .......................................................................................... 15-2

General Design Concerns .............................................................................. 15-2

Courtrooms .................................................................................................... 15-4

Judges’ Chambers Suites ............................................................................... 15-4

Jury Facilities................................................................................................. 15-5

Judges’ Conference Rooms............................................................................ 15-5

Central Court Libraries .................................................................................. 15-5

Central Court Facilities .................................................................................. 15-5

Server Rooms................................................................................................. 15-6

Telecommunications Switch Rooms and Closets .......................................... 15-6

Mechanical Design Criteria ........................................................................... 15-7

Electrical Distribution Systems ......................................................................... 15-7

General Design Concerns .............................................................................. 15-7

Courtrooms .................................................................................................... 15-8

Judges’ Chambers Suites ............................................................................... 15-9

Jury Facilities................................................................................................. 15-9

All Judges’ Conference Rooms.................................................................... 15-10

Public Waiting Areas ................................................................................... 15-10

Central Court Libraries ................................................................................ 15-10

News Media Room Electrical Distribution .................................................. 15-10

Lighting Systems ............................................................................................. 15-10

General Design Concerns ............................................................................ 15-10

Courtrooms .................................................................................................. 15-11

Judges’ Chambers Suites ............................................................................. 15-12

Jury Facilities............................................................................................... 15-12

All Judges’ Conference Rooms.................................................................... 15-13

Central Court Libraries ................................................................................ 15-13

Lighting Standards....................................................................................... 15-13

Communications Systems................................................................................ 15-15

Voice, Data, Courtroom Audio/Video, and Low-Voltage Cabling Design.. 15-15

General Design Concerns ............................................................................ 15-15

Courtrooms .................................................................................................. 15-16

Judges’ Chambers Suites ............................................................................. 15-17

Jury Facilities............................................................................................... 15-17

Central Court Libraries ................................................................................ 15-18

Clerk’s Office .............................................................................................. 15-18

Office of the Chief Pre-argument/Conference Attorney .............................. 15-18

Office of the Bankruptcy Administrator ...................................................... 15-18

Raised Access Flooring ................................................................................... 15-18

Chapter 16 – Building Security .........................................................................16-1

Introduction........................................................................................................16-1

Supporting Documents.......................................................................................16-1

Agency Responsibilities.....................................................................................16-2

Security Concepts ..............................................................................................16-3

Security Systems and Equipment.......................................................................16-3

Exterior Security ................................................................................................16-4

Interior Security .................................................................................................16-6

Glossary

Index v i i i I T a b l e o f C o n t e n t s U . S . C o u r t s D e s i g n G u i d e l 2 0 0 7

U . S . C o u r t s D e s i g n G u i d e l 2 0 0 7 I n t r o d u c t i o n a n d T h e F e d e r a l C o u r t S ys t e m l 1 - 1 nd he w w ng es ial al he an

T c to g d

F fo

INTRODUCTION AND

THE

FEDERAL COURT SYSTEM

This chapter outlines the intent of the

Design Guide, how to use this publication and its contents, and briefly describes the organization of the federal court system, its administrative functions, and the judicial process.

Introduction f Scope The comprehensive design guidelines contained in this document describe the types of spaces commonly associated with facilities for the U.S. Court of Appeals (USCA), the U.S.

District Court (USDC), and the U.S. Bankruptcy Cour t (USBC). The Design Guide includes criteria for accommodating courts in both multi-tenant a leased facilities.

The design guidelines presented in this document apply to t design and construction of new buildings, annexes, all ne leased space, and repair and alterations projects in which ne space is being configured for an entire court unit, includi courtrooms and chambers.

f Objectives The Design Guide has three major objectives. First, it serv as a planning tool for federal judges and key judic personnel who are directly involved in the design of a feder court facility. Second, it provides relevant information for t General Services Administration (GSA) and architectural/engineering (A/E) team to effectively plan, program, and design a functional, aesthetically appropriate, and cost-effective court facility. The information enables judges and judicial personnel to collaborate effectively with the GSA and the A/E tea m throughout a project’s design and documentation phases. The Design Guide also provides information for the A/E team and specialists regarding security, acoustics, telecommunications, data, and audio-visual systems. Finally, the Design Guide provides the Judicial Conference of the United States, through its Committee on Space and Facilities, and the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AOUSC) with policy guidance for the overall planning, programming, and design of federal court facilities throughout the United States and its territories.

he Design Guide contains state-of-the-art design criteria for ourthouses. Users should read all introductory text carefully understand the scope, function, and intent of the design uidelines presented, and their relationship to the esign process.

Revisions to the Design Guide rom 1997 to 2006, the Judicial Conference endorsed the llowing revisions to the 1997 edition of the Design Guid e:

Reduced chambers space

Reduced chambers built-in bookcases

Required standard configurations for chambers and courtrooms by court type

� Reduced staff private offices and open workstations sizes

� Reduced central, satellite, and unstaffed court library spaces

� Revised public spaces in district and bankruptcy clerks’ offices to accommodate new work practices

� Eliminated specific space for alternative dispute resolution proceedings

� Eliminated jury boxes and jury facilities for bankruptcy judge courtrooms

� Added new guidance on public spaces and atria

� Revised guidance on providing a special proceedings courtroom

� Eliminated child development centers in court facilities

� Revised requirement for ballistic glazing

� Revised policy for access flooring as a building system

� Developed alternative designs for probation and pretrial services offices

� Made the approval process for exceptions for the judicial circuit councils, the Committee on Space and Facilities, and the Judicial Conference of the United States more specific

� Eliminated references to federal public defenders’ offices in new courthouses, with the exception of the trial preparation suite

� Updated building systems (mechanical, electrical, and low voltage), lighting design, and acoustics standards to improve the effectiveness of the systems

� Revised central mail facilities design standards

Programming and Budgetary Notes

Programming and budgetary notes found throughout the Design Guide provide assistance with decisions to be made during the development of courthouse projects.

The notes include both judicial branch policy and lessons learned from completed projects. The notes supplement the criteria in the Design Guide; their purpose is to provide direction in using the flexibility of the Design Guide to develop justifiable and cost-effective federal courthouse projects.

f Authority of the Circuit Judicial Councils Circuit judicial councils play an important space management role by reviewing district-wide facility plans, approving requests for new or modified space, and enforcing adherence to design guidelines. The circuit judicial councils have authority over and responsibility for a circuit’s space management program (28 USC (§332 and §462(b))) and for determining the need for space. As directed by the Judicial Conference of the United States, any significant exceptions to the Design Guide must be approved by the respective circuit judicial council.

f General Programming Notes The Design Guide is intended to be a performance document. Criteria for any space or grouping of spaces must be considered in conjunction with the specific needs of the court office or function for which space is being designed.

Criteria in the Design Guide do not represent space entitlements. The criteria apply to an array of space types that must be justified based on the specific purpose of each project. Facility plans, programs, and designs must include only the space needed to satisfy the functional and security requirements of the court.

Differences between the space in an existing facility and the criteria in the Design Guide are not justification for facility alteration and expansion. In such cases, alternatives to space expansion are investigated before any additional space is requested.

Design architects and court staff are prohibited from adding spaces not originally contemplated in the approved prospectus or design program. Increasing the floor area or building volume is also prohibited.

f General Budgetary Notes Renovation and new construction occur when the court and circuit judicial council identify space needs through the judiciary’s asset management planning process and document these needs in the long-range facilities plan. The GSA determines by what method the space is provided—for example, by the construction of a new building, the renovation of an existing building, a lease, or other means.

Any action taken by a court or circuit judicial council that would lead to extravagance in courthouse construction or renovation is prohibited; however, the Judicial Conference recognizes and strongly supports a pragmatic approach to design that includes the use of durable and sustainable materials. This approach ensures that courthouses constructed now will last well into the future.

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U . S . C o u r t s D e s i g n G u i d e l 2 0 0 7 I n t r o d u c t i o n a n d T h e F e d e r a l C o u r t S ys t e m l 1 - 3

How to Use This Book f Fiscal Considerations The Design Guide is both a design and financial commitment document. The Judicial Conference’s space-rental budget correlates to the design standards contained in the Design Guide.

f Architectural Programming Considerations The Design Guide lists and describes all major spaces and spatial groupings contained in federal courthouses. The number of major space groupings required for a particular court building shall be determined by the program of requirements submitted by the judiciary. Individual project circumstances dictate which of the major space groupings should be included in a building program.

f Relevant Chapters for Trial Courts Three figures at the end of this chapter (Figures 1.1-1.3) identify the relevant chapters that provide information on the policy and standards for each court unit within the three types of courts: USCA, USDC, and USBC. The information in these chapters, along with technical information found in Chapters 12–16, are to be used to design the various types of court projects.

f Adjacency Diagrams Adjacency diagrams are provided in Chapters 3 through 11. Each diagram represents an idealized arrangement of the required types of spaces, circulation patterns, and access points. Effort must be made during the design process to maintain the arrangements illustrated in the adjacency diagrams. In practice, however, this may not be possible.

It is important for users of the Design Guide to understand what the diagrams do and do not represent. Adjacency diagrams describe only circulatory relationships among spaces; they are not floor plans, which normally describe exact spatial sizes, configurations, and corridor distances between spaces. The boxes in the adjacency diagrams represent spaces and show only relative sizes. Regular shapes do not imply that actual spaces must be rectangular. Similarly, irregular shapes convey no particular form, since physical conditions, external constraints, and design considerations might dictate other configurations. In addition, the relationships between spaces along circulation routes indicate only adjacencies, not approximate distances. The location of spaces on one side of the diagram or another does not necessarily fix their position on any side of a planned facility or office. Circles showing vertical circulation do not indicate the number or specific location of elevators or stairwells; for example, while a diagram may indicate two circles showing vertical freight circulation, the requirements for a freight elevator might be accommodated by a single elevator.

The adjacency diagrams include three circulation patterns: public, restricted, and secure. Each is indicated by a different line style and weight. A dotted line represents public traffic patterns used by lawyers, spectators, media representatives, and other individuals. Restricted circulation patterns within and between office spaces are represented by broken lines. Restricted circulation is generally used by judges, courtroom deputy clerks, court security officers, authorized visitors, and administrative or clerical support staff. A solid line represents secure circulation for prisoner movement; secure circulation must not intersect public or restricted circulation.

Although the lines used to indicate traffic patterns imply the existence of corridors, this is not always the case. In some instances, a circulation pattern is subsumed by another space, such as when lobby space is used as a public circulation area. In other instances, a circulation pattern might intersect an indicated space—for example, where public traffic intersects a reception counter used to control access from waiting areas to restricted spaces. Any uncontrolled intersection of differing circulation patterns constitutes a breach of security and must be avoided.

Additionally, lines indicating circulation do not describe egress requirements.

Large black dots on the adjacency diagrams indicate either transition or circulation termination points, that is, termination points for public or restricted circulation, points of transition from one circulation type to another (e.g., public to restricted or external to internal), or transition points from a circulation type to a given space (e.g., from public access to a reception area).

Vertical circulation is also shown on the adjacency diagrams. A circumscribed P indicates vertical public circulation for movement between floors. A circumscribed R indicates restricted vertical circulation, extending to secure parking within the building and connecting with restricted circulation on other floors. A circumscribed F indicates vertical circulation for the movement of freight and other bulky items. A circumscribed S indicates vertical secure circulation exclusively for in-custody defendants and security officers of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS).

Key to Symbols

P

Restricted Circulation

Secure Circulation

Public Circulation

Unscreened Public Access

Screened Public Access

Screened Public Access, locked when not in use

Restricted Access, Uncontrolled

Restricted Access, Remote Access Control Restricted Access, Direct Access Control/Keylock

Secure Access, Authorized Staff

Secure Access, Prisoner/Security Staff

Restricted Access, Counter/Window Service

Privacy Lock

Circulation/Access Control Point

S Secure Vertical Circulation

R Restricted Vertical Circulation

P Public Vertical Circulation

F Freight Vertical Circulation

Direct Visual Access, One-Way

Direct Visual Access, Two-Way

Key to Symbols

P

Restricted Circulation

Secure Circulation

Public Circulation

Unscreened Public Access

Screened Public Access

Screened Public Access, locked when not in use

Restricted Access, Uncontrolled

Restricted Access, Remote Access Control Restricted Access, Direct Access Control/Keylock

Secure Access, Authorized Staff

Secure Access, Prisoner/Security Staff

Restricted Access, Counter/Window Service

Privacy Lock

Circulation/Access Control Point

SS Secure Vertical Circulation

RR Restricted Vertical Circulation

PP Public Vertical Circulation

FF Freight Vertical Circulation

Direct Visual Access, One-Way

Direct Visual Access, Two-Way

Access to facility circulation patterns, offices, and individual space types is indicated on the adjacency diagrams by arrows. Outlined arrows denote public entry or access points; solid arrows denote restricted and secure entry or access points. For both types of arrows, access types are further distinguished with numbers. Please refer to the keys of the individual adjacency diagrams for additional information.

The types, numbers, and sizes of spaces shown on the adjacency diagrams should not be interpreted literally as specific requirements; instead, the actual types, numbers, and sizes of spaces must be determined on a case-by-case basis, depending upon the program, design, applicable building codes, and other requirements.

For certain spaces, such as courtrooms and judges’ chambers suites, the number of boxes shown on the adjacency diagrams does not necessarily indicate the number of actual spaces in a planned facility. The diagram should be used as a guide for determining the space required.

Organization of the Design Guide The Design Guide consists of 16 chapters, a glossary, and an index.

Figures 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3 at the end of this chapter indicate relevant chapters for U.S.

Court of Appeals projects, U.S. District Court projects, and U.S. Bankruptcy Courts projects, respectively, while Figures 3.5, 3.6, and 3.7 in the “Planning for U.S.

Courthouses” chapter illustrate adjacency relationships.

Chapter 1: Introduction and the Federal Court System outlines the intent, the use, and the contents of the Design Guide, and briefly describes the organization of the federal court system, its administrative functions, and the judicial process.

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U . S . C o u r t s D e s i g n G u i d e l 2 0 0 7 I n t r o d u c t i o n a n d T h e F e d e r a l C o u r t S ys t e m l 1 - 5

Chapter 2: Courthouse Programming and Budgetary Considerations includes a guide to supporting documents; describes the process used to plan, program, design, and construct federal court facilities; and discusses strategies for developing cost-effective courthouses to accommodate the judiciary’s current and future needs. The budgetary responsibilities of the judiciary, the GSA, and other courthouse project participants are also described.

Chapter 3: Planning for U.S. Courthouses contains general design guidelines for judges and judicial personnel working with an A/E team to design a new court facility. In addition, the chapter assists A/E team members in understanding the functional and spatial relationships among the major components of a court facility, and the need for separate circulation systems. The chapter describes the major spaces in each of the three court types (USCA, USDC, and USBC) and spaces common to all courthouses, contains a typical floor plate for a courtroom floor, and discusses collegial versus collocated judges’ chambers and courts in multi-tenant buildings.

Chapters 4 through 11 contain specific design guidelines to assist the A/E team in the design of a new court facility. Each chapter addresses a major functional category of space or grouping of spaces. These chapters include discussions of functions and activities, user capacities, and specific design requirements, and contain programming and budgetary notes, a list of possible space types, and adjacency diagrams.

Chapter 4: Courtrooms and Associated Spaces contains specific design guidelines for appellate courtrooms and for district, magistrate, and bankruptcy judges’ courtrooms.

Chapter 5: Jury Facilities describes specific design guidelines for the jury assembly suite, trial jury suite, and grand jury suite.

Chapter 6: Judges’ Chambers Suites describes specific design guidelines for the resident and non-resident chambers suites of circuit, district, magistrate, and bankruptcy judges.

Chapter 7: Central Court Libraries contains specific design guidelines for circuit headquarters libraries, satellite libraries, and unstaffed libraries.

Chapter 8: Clerk’s Office contains specific design guidelines for clerks’ offices of the USCA, USDC, and USBC.

Chapter 9: Probation and Pretrial Services Offices contains specific design guidelines for the offices of probation and pretrial services personnel.

Chapter 10: Other Court Units contains specific design guidelines for the Office of the Circuit Executive (USCA), the Office of the Bankruptcy Administrator, the Office of the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel clerk (BAP), the Office of the Senior Staff Attorney (USCA), the Office of the Pre-argument/Conference Attorney (USCA), the Office of the District Court Executive (USDC), and the trial preparation suite for the federal defender.

Chapter 11: Common Building Spaces defines specific design guidelines for shared judges’ conference rooms, news media rooms, central mail and package screening stations, central mail facilities, bulk and archival storage, and communications equipment rooms and risers.

Chapter 12: Tenant Improvements and Furnishings contains specific design criteria for finishes, built-in millwork, and movable furniture.

Chapter 13: Interior Signage contains specific standards for interior signage.

Chapter 14: Acoustics contains specific acoustic criteria for various areas of the courthouse.

Chapter 15: Building Systems contains specific technical requirements relevant to courthouse functions and spaces. Generic performance criteria for these systems are provided within the GSA’s Facilities Standards for the Public Buildings Service

(GSA P-100).

Chapter 16: Building Security describes security requirements for court facilities.

The appendix provides a useful glossary of abbreviations used in the Design Guide.

f Changes to the Design Guide Any suggestions for modifications to the Design Guide should be forwarded to the chief of the AOUSC Space and Facilities Division.

The Federal Court System f Introduction As established by the Constitution, the federal courts constitute one of three coequal branches of our national government. The other two branches are the executive and legislative. Unlike the members of the executive and legislative branches (i.e., President, Vice President, senators, and representatives), who are elected for a set number of years, members of the judiciary and the Court of International Trade are appointed for life, as set forth in Article III of the Constitution. U.S. Supreme Court justices, circuit judges, and district court judges are appointed to office by the President, with the approval of the Senate. Judges are subject to removal from office only through impeachment, as provided in the Constitution. The Constitution also prohibits lowering the pay of federal judges. These two forms of protection allow federal judges to make decisions, even unpopular ones, without fear of removal from office or reduction of salary.

f Types of Federal Courts Article III of the Constitution provides for a Supreme Court and whatever other federal courts Congress considers necessary. The number of federal judges is small.

While the Supreme Court and its justices are located in Washington, D.C., most members of the federal judiciary are dispersed throughout the United States and its territories.

Trial Courts. Congress divided the country into 94 federal judicial districts, each with its own USDC.