Courthouse: Judicial Chamber

by WBDG Staff

Last updated: 05-25-2007

Overview

Judicial Chambers are areas used by the U.S. Courts and are typically located on the upper floors of a Courthouse building shell and core structure dedicated for U.S. Court occupancy. Judicial chambers are used for U.S. Court of Appeals Chambers Suite, U.S. District Chambers Suite, U.S. Bankruptcy/Magistrate Chambers Suite, and Visiting/Non-Resident Judge's Chambers Suite. Chambers serve a similar function as a law office practice and therefore require designs that are productive, functional/operational, and secure/safe. See also WBDG Federal Courthouse.

Space Attributes

Typical features of Judicial Chamber space types include the list of applicable design objectives elements as outlined below. For a complete list and definitions of the design objectives within the context of whole building design, click on the titles below.

Aesthetics

• Interior finishes feature Premium Grade architectural woodwork, either wainscot or full wall height.

Functional / Operational

• The occupancy group classification is Business B-2 with sprinkler-protected construction.
• GSA Acoustical class A for critical noise separation between courtrooms and chambers and for conference spaces within chambers.
• Chambers have communicating stairs (separate from public stairs)—that are judicial restricted stairs with metal pan stair tread and landings at raised floor level. Restricted (Judiciary) elevators are geared traction type with front opening doors and keycard control. Elevator door faces are painted metal. The cab allowance is $30,000 (Oct '00 dollars).

Productive

• Acoustical transfer ducts are provided at all acoustically rated partitions.
• Separate Air Handling Units (AHUs) for Judicial Chambers since they have frequent low-density occupancy when courtrooms are not in use. Judicial Chambers located on collegial suits should be served by an AHU dedicated for that floor. 100% direct exhaust is provided and operated by time clock or building automation system for private toilets and service units.
• Separate controls are provided at the Judge's Chamber with override by the building shell and core BAS. Individual override control of building heating and cooling control system to allow individual chambers to be occupied in off-hours (24/7) to accommodate special workload demands—without running the entire courthouse.

Secure / Safe

• Mitigating design measures are required to protect Chambers from forced entry at adjoining public spaces.
• Natural daylit windows with operable window treatment to obscure views and ballistics-resistant glazing where line-of-sight risks exist.

Example Program

The following building program is representative of Judicial Chambers.

JUDICIAL CHAMBERS

Description	Per Set	SF Each	Small Courthouse	Medium Courthouse	Large Courthouse
Sr. District Chambers
Judge's Chambers	1	500	500	1,000	2,000
Judge's Toilet	1	50	50	100	200
Judge's Closet	1	10	10	20	40
Vestibule	1	50	50	100	200
Reception Area	1	100	100	200	400
Coat Closet	1	10	10	20	40
Secretarial Workstation	1	120	120	240	480
File Storage Area	1	140	140	280	560
Facsimile Machine     Area	1	10	10	20	40
Copier Area	1	50	50	100	200
Storage	1	80	80	160	320
Service Unit	1	20	20	40	80
Reference/Conference     Room	1	400	400	800	1,600
Law Clerk's Offices     (2 @ 150 SF/     Chambers Ste)	2	150	300	600	1,200
District Chambers
Judge's Chambers	1	500	500	1,000	2,000
Judge's Toilet	1	50	50	100	200
Judge's Closet	1	10	10	20	40
Vestibule	1	50	50	100	200
Reception Area	1	100	100	200	400
Coat Closet	1	10	10	20	40
Secretarial Workstation	1	120	120	240	480
File Storage Area	1	140	140	280	560
Facsimile Machine     Area	1	10	10	20	40
Copier Area	1	50	50	100	200
Storage	1	80	80	160	320
Service Unit	1	20	20	40	80
Reference/Conference     Room	1	400	400	800	1,600
Law Clerk's Offices     (2 @ 150 SF/     Chambers Ste)	2	150	300	600	1,200
Shared Judges Conf.     Rm. with Service Unit	1	250	250	500	1,000
Magistrate Chamber
Judge's Chambers	1	400	400	1,600	3,200
Judge's Toilet	1	50	50	200	400
Judge's Closet	1	10	10	40	80
Vestibule	1	50	50	200	400
Reception Area	1	100	100	400	800
Coat Closet	1	10	10	40	80
Secretarial Workstation	1	120	120	480	960
File Storage Area	1	60	60	240	480
Facsimile Machine     Area	1	10	10	40	80
Copier Area	1	50	50	200	400
Storage	1	80	80	320	640
Service Unit	1	20	20	80	160
Reference/Conference     Room	1	300	300	1,200	2,400
Law Clerk's Offices	1	150	150	600	1,200
Bankruptcy Chamber
Judge's Chambers	1	400	400	800	1,600
Judge's Toilet	1	50	50	100	200
Judge's Closet	1	10	10	20	40
Vestibule	1	50	50	100	200
Reception Area	1	100	100	200	400
Coat Closet	1	10	10	20	40
Secretarial Workstation	1	120	120	240	480
File Storage Area	1	60	60	120	240
Facsimile Machine     Area	1	10	10	20	40
Copier Area	1	50	50	100	200
Storage	1	80	80	160	320
Service Unit	1	20	20	40	80
Reference/Conference     Room	1	300	300	600	1,200
Law Clerk's Offices	1	150	150	300	600

Sample Plans

Example Construction Criteria

For GSA, the unit costs for Detention space types are based on the construction quality and design features in the following table (PDF 63 KB, 7 pgs). This information is based on GSA's benchmark interpretation and could be different for other owners.

Relevant Codes and Standards

• Standard Level Features and Finishes for U.S. Courts Facilities
• U.S. Courts Design Guide
• P-100, Facilities Standards for the Public Buildings Service (GSA)
• GSA Public Buildings Service Pricing Desk Guide, Edition No. 2
• International Building Code

Major Resources

WBDG

Building / Space Types

Federal Courthouse, Courthouse: Enhanced Office, Courthouse: Courtroom, Hearing Room

Design Objectives

Aesthetics—Engage the Appropriate Language and Elements of Design, Aesthetics—Select Appropriate Design Professionals, Functional / Operational—Account for Functional Needs, Functional / Operational—Ensure Appropriate Product/Systems Integration, Productive—Assure Reliable Systems and Spaces, Productive—Provide Comfortable Environments, Secure / Safe—Ensure Occupant Safety and Health

Project Management

Building Commissioning

Publications

• Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AOUSC)
• Electronic Courtroom/Chambers, An Interim Guide to Courtroom Technologies
• Guide Specifications for Modification/Installation of Audio Systems in United States Courthouses
• Guide to Judiciary Policies and Procedures
• Judiciary's Human Resources Manual
• United States Courthouse Design & Construction Process
• United States Courts Moving Guide
• Architectural Graphic Standards, 10th Edition by Charles Ramsey, Harold Sleeper, and John Hoke. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2000.
• Building Type Basics for Justice Facilities by Todd S. Phillips & Michael A. Griebel. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., July 2003.
• Courtroom Lighting—Criteria Evaluation and Energy Use Study (GSA)
• P-100, Facilities Standards for the Public Buildings Service (GSA)
• Green Courthouse Design Concepts (GSA)
• LEED® Cost Study (GSA)
• LEED® Applications Guide (GSA)
• Standard Level Features and Finishes for U.S. Court Facilities (GSA)
• U.S. Courts Design Guide (Judicial Conference)

Others

• Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AOUSC)
• The Center for Courthouse Programs—A web page of the Center for Courthouse Programs of GSA's Public Buildings Service
• The Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys has a design guide covering all aspects of courthouse security. (Available for limited use only)
• The U.S. Marshals Service now has a design guide covering all aspects of courthouse security, as well as security in the Marshals Service space. (Available for limited use only)