The Charles R. Jonas Federal Building and Courthouse in Charlotte, N.C., is a historic Neo-classical edifice built in 1915. The building’s size was tripled in 1933. But more recently it has been badly in need of upgrading to 21st Century justice standards, especially in the areas of security, energy efficiency, and workspaces for support staff.
A Building Team that included the designer Robert A.M. Stern Architects and CGL Companies (which specializes in justice-related projects) recently completed a $164.7 million modernization and addition of an eight-story wing that accommodates nine new courtrooms, chambers, and support spaces. The new wing, which rises up behind the original building, maintains the courthouse’s Classical architectural presence along Charlotte’s skyline.
Unintrusive modernization of the Charles R. Jonas Federal Building and Courthouse
Charlotte-based Jenkins Peer Architects was AOR on this project, which was completed 11 months ago and had its ribbon cutting last May. fs3|Hodges was the CMa and Brasfield & Gorrie the CMc. The project added 195,719 sf, bringing the building’s total gross size to 315,685 sf. The new wing includes a top-floor Special Proceedings Courthouse and judges’ chambers. The addition is seeking LEED Gold certification.
Inside, a distinguishing feature is how the historic and new facades meet in a double-height stair hall inserted between the two structures. A skylight provides natural light from above the interiors. Outside, RAMSA created a two-story, lighted portico that mimics the columned front of the original building.
“We’ve successfully updated the Jonas Courthouse for the future without compromising on what has made it a treasured part of uptown Charlotte’s architectural fabric,” said Kevin Kelly, Partner at RAMSA, in a prepared statement. “For cities across the country, it’s an example of how significant and historic civic infrastructure can be modernized in a way that maintains a distinct character and presence.”
This project is the result of a 2012 examination by the U.S. Courts and General Services Administration for the potential reuse of the city-owned Jonas Courthouse to meet long-term housing needs. Charlotte agreed to a property exchange that returned ownership of the Courthouse to the GSA.
Related Stories
| Jul 1, 2014
China's wild circular skyscraper opens in Guangzhou [slideshow]
The 33-story Guanghzou Circle takes the shape of a giant ribbon spool, with the floor space housed in a series of boxes suspended between two massive "wheels."
| Jul 1, 2014
Hyper-speed rendering: How Gensler turns BIM models into beauty shots in seconds
In search of a fast rendering solution, Gensler looked to the gaming and moviemaking industries for the next breakthrough tool: Octane Render.
| Jul 1, 2014
Zaha Hadid's flowing Heydar Aliyev Center named Design of the Year for 2014
The Design Museum's Design of the Year award has been awarded to Zaha Hadid's Heydar Aliyev Center. Hadid is not only the first woman to win the top prize, but the center is the first architectural project to win the overall competition.
| Jun 30, 2014
Research finds continued growth of design-build throughout United States
New research findings indicate that for the first time more than half of projects above $10 million are being completed through design-build project delivery.
| Jun 30, 2014
Arup's vision of the future of rail: driverless trains, maintenance drones, and automatic freight delivery
In its Future of Rail 2050 report, Arup reveals a vision of the future of rail travel in light of trends such as urban population growth, climate change, and emerging technologies.
| Jun 30, 2014
Work starts on Jean Nouvel-designed European Patent Office in the Netherlands [slideshow]
With around 80,000 sm and a budget of €205 million self-financed by the EPO, the complex will be one of the biggest office construction sites ever in the Netherlands.
| Jun 30, 2014
Zaha Hadid's Iraq Parliament complex design marred with controversy
Zaha Hadid's design for the Iraq Parliament was selected, despite placing third in the original RIBA-organized competition.
| Jun 25, 2014
The best tall buildings of 2014
Four high-rise buildings from multiple continents have been selected as the best of their region. The best worldwide tall building will be announced November 6.
| Jun 25, 2014
AIA Foundation launches Regional Resilient Design Studio
The Studio is the first to be launched as part of the AIA Foundation’s National Resilience Program, which plans to open a total of five Regional Resilience Design Studios nationwide in collaboration with Architecture for Humanity, and Public Architecture.
| Jun 25, 2014
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Spring House, Cincinnati’s Union Terminal among 11 Most Endangered Historic Places for 2014
The National Trust for Historic Preservation released its annual list of 11 Most Endangered Historical Sites in the United States for 2014.
