US Federal Courthouse, Springfield, MA

Construction of a new United States Federal Courthouse in the city of Springfield, MA.

Client:		US General Services Administration
Designer:		Moshe Safdie & Associates
Size:		162,000 SF

 

Project Features

• Three-story courthouse containing three courtrooms.
• Building layout forms a spiraling crescent around three historic Copper Beech and Linden ‘heritage trees.’
• Constructed out of 40ft tall precast columns.
• Exterior façade is limestone, precast, and glass.
• Glassed-in entry pavilion is a custom tube steel network that hangs off the precast columns, floating free on one side.
• Custom millwork throughout the building.
• Limestone floor tiles imported from Portugal.
• GSA “Security and Openness” program security and communications systems.
• “Progressive Collapse” structural steel support blast mitigation system allows for one column to be removed, shifting the load to adjacent columns to prevent building collapse.
• Retaining walls and bollards keep vehicles a minimum of 20-ft from the building.
• Ballistic (bulletproof) construction in the U. S. Marshall’s offices and Judges’ Chambers.
• Relocation of the 200-year-old historic Alexander House prior to the start of construction.
• LEED Silver
• Awards: AGC Build New England Award, GSA Design Excellence Award