Profile

Richard J. Daronco Westchester County Courthouse

White Plains, New York
Completed 2005

Lead Designer: Ian Bader

New courthouse and renovation of existing facilities
 

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This project provides new and expanded court facilities on a significant site in downtown White Plains, the seat of Westchester County. The goal was to functionally integrate the county court system and provide it with an appropriately unified appearance complimentary to the civic center of which the courthouse is a key part. A corollary goal was to reinforce the central importance of the courts and their stabilizing presence in the community.

A three-phase construction schedule was devised to permit the judicial process to continue without interruption. Phase I* involves recladding the deteriorating courthouse tower with concrete panels. Phase II encompasses construction of a new three-story courthouse west of the tower and renovation of the interlocking tower floors. Phase III* involves renovation of the remaining tower interiors.

The design reorganizes the courts around a landscaped open space that forms the physical and symbolic heart of the complex. The 72-foot-diameter green — literally a court yard — is encircled by public circulation with direct access to the civil courts (housed in the tower), criminal courts (in a secure wing of the new building), and family courts (occupying the remaining L-shaped wing of the new building). Beyond aiding circulation, the courtyard itself invites entry and relaxation as an outdoor extension of the light-filled waiting areas arrayed around its perimeter. Secure and protected yet open and engaged with the outside world, courthouse and courtyard reinforce each other in the aim to better serve the public.

*executed by others

Phase II Major Components

7 Family Courtrooms, 14 Criminal Courtrooms, facilities for Department of Probation and Corrections Court offices, Jury Assembly Room and Lounge (1st fl.), Ceremonial Courtroom (2nd fl.), public circulation and reception, separate secure circulation systems for defendants in custody and also for judges / jury / court personnel; judges' chambers on building perimeter; landscaped 13,000 s/f courtyard, outdoor terraces and pedestrian links to surrounding community; 32,000 s/f parking on 2 levels underground, including secure judges' parking, and loading dock

Pei Cobb Freed & Partners services

Site Planning; Full Architectural Services through construction administration on Annex; coordination with associate architect on renovation of lower floors of tower; coordination with associate architect on construction documents and construction administration; Landscape Design and administration.

Associate Architect

Fuller and D'Angelo, P.C., Elmsford, NY

Structural

Ysrael A. Seinuk, P.C., New York, NY  

Mechanical / Electrical / Plumbing

Cosentini Associates LLP, New York, NY

Courts

Ricci Associates, New York, NY

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