John M. Roll US Courthouse
John M. Roll US Courthouse
Ehrlich Yanai Rhee Chaney Architects
ARCHITECTS
Ehrlich Yanai Rhee Chaney Architects
CODE CONSULTANT
Rja - Rolf Jensen & Associates Inc.
BLAST CONSULTANT
Weidlinger Associates Inc.
MANUFACTURERS
Alucobond, Interstate Brick
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
Ten Eyck Landscape Architects
ARCHITECT IN CHARGE
Charles Warner Oakley
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER
Abacus
CIVIL ENGINEER
Psomas
GENERAL CONTRACTOR
Sundt Construction
CONTRACTUAL DESIGN BUILD TEAM LEADER
Sundt Construction
MEP ENGINEER
Lsw Inc.
DESIGN PRINCIPAL
Steven Ehrlich
PROJECT ARCHITECT
Patricia Rhee
PROJECT MANAGER
Laura Hudson
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
Caruso Turley Scott
YEAR
2013
LOCATION
United States
CATAGORY
Courthouse
Text description provided by architect.
Design innovations solve 21st century challenges in The John M. Roll Courthouse. The project’s goals include: safe, secure processing of mass immigration defendants; updating the American traditional courthouse.
Creation of an outdoor communal space, cohesive with the urban fabric of downtown Yuma; high performance and sustainability at low cost; design excellence within strict security mandates.
The Courthouse fulfills all these requirements, delivering high value within a design-build fast track schedule. The Courthouse’s grand design gesture is its canopy of photovoltaics, held up by a series of naturally weathering steel columns, which shades the entrance plaza.
The principal façade is composed of flanking sandstone masses inset with a double-height glass lobby. The juxtaposition of stone and glass contrasts a magisterial sense of permanence with lightness and transparency.
Conveying the balance of precedent and openness in the American justice system. The 60,000 square foot building houses two courtrooms, judges’ chambers, jury rooms, U.S. Marshals facilities and district court and bankruptcy court services.
To safely process the flow of hundreds of users with varying needs, separate circulation systems are delineated for defendants, court employees and the public. Oversize elevators transport large numbers of prisoners to the second floor main courtroom.
High security needs, including fifty-foot setbacks for blast protection, have been creatively addressed through such features as concrete bollards and benches. Known as “the sunniest place in the U.S.
Yuma endures temperatures of 120 degrees in summer with 3 annual inches of rainfall. Pending LEED Gold certification, the Courthouse’s sustainability strategy integrates three principles into the design.
Harvesting the abundant solar energy on-site while minimizing energy usage; utilizing materials that save energy and money long term; and conserving water.
Effective passive solar methods include the use of light-colored Arizona sandstone and brick, which are durable and impart thermal mass.
