Government / Judicial

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A New Space For A Mission-Focused Organization

Creating a new headquarters building for the Georgia Department of Public Safety required a solution that enables DPS’s mission by providing spaces that are highly functional, adaptable, and supportive of the organization, one built on a legacy of tradition, with a dynamic team-oriented culture. The new headquarters project includes a four-and-a-half-story building that expresses DPS’s rich history, professionalism, and excellence. Adjacent to the new building is a 200-space parking deck that is cut into a steep slope allowing for unobstructed views from the building.

The project is located on the existing state campus on United Avenue. The project also includes a new entrance gate and front lawn that is respectful of the surrounding Grant Park context and neighborhood. Care has been taken to be contextual while also providing a robust and secure fence line that helps to secure the campus which also includes facilities for the Georgia Emergency Management Agency.

Exemplifying Georgia’s Excellence

The new headquarters provides staff with office and training spaces that are light and bright, with warm woods that are refreshing, comfortable, and user-friendly, environments that convey a sense of calm and control. Visitors and guests will encounter these welcoming spaces beginning with a lobby that includes exhibits and artifacts demonstrating how DPS exemplifies excellence in Georgia. The program includes a 150-seat auditorium, training room, a wide variety of conference rooms, all supporting office suites for the department which includes the Divisions of the Georgia State Patrol, Motor Carrier Compliance, and DPS Command Staff.

Metal panels, Georgia granite accents, glass, and spandrel glass are used to accentuate the entrance and public spaces while addressing the views and access to natural light through the building. The high function and adaptable floor plates allow for a future rearrangement that will help to “future-proof” the facility as a long-term asset for the state. The project also includes a new memorial honoring fallen troopers.

The Georgia Department of Public Safety consists of a 98,000 square foot building with a 200-car parking garage located in downtown Atlanta. The project will include a memorial honoring fallen troops, office and training areas, 150-seat auditorium, flexible conference rooms, and unobstructed views of the neighboring campus.

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Master Planning

SSOE was selected by the City of Decatur to provide design services for renovations and additions to the Decatur Public Works Facility. Two adjacent properties will be master planned to provide expanded space for the various public works departments, as well as consolidating two other city departments: City Schools of Decatur facilities and grounds maintenance; and the planning, zoning and engineering departments.

Schematic Design

We are providing architectural, engineering, and interior design services including site analysis and schematic design, design development, construction documents, and bid assistance. The existing 15,000 SF facility will be completely renovated with all new systems, finishes, furniture, and equipment, and will include an additional 15,000 SF of new construction.

Facade Enhancements

The city also purchased two adjacent parcels for additional space to be used for maintenance equipment storage. The design contemplates a new exterior facade compatible with the evolving, mixed-use neighborhood. The project incorporates the City of Decatur design guidelines for streetscape and pedestrian street enhancements. The new facility is now LEED certified.

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New Home of Georgia’s Judicial Branch

The State of Georgia’s Nathan Deal Judicial Center is the first state-building in the history of Georgia devoted entirely to the judiciary. The seven-story, 224,500 SF facility houses the Supreme Court of Georgia, the Georgia Court of Appeals, and the newly created state-wide Business Court. This significant facility was designed to complement the State Capitol Building (Edbrooke and Burnham built circa 1889) and expand the Capitol Hill District across from Capitol Avenue. SSOE partnered with Robert A.M. Stern Architects to design a facility in the classical architectural approach that symbolizes the dignity of the courts from the beginnings of the republic.

State Leadership

The placement and orientation of the building is directly on axis with the dome of the State Capitol Building and the curved façade responds to the prominent Capital Avenue, Memorial Drive, and 1-20, I-75 / 85 intersections. Like the Capitol’s Legislative Chamber, the building features a central atrium that is elliptical, 112-feet in height, and connects six floors. The Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Courtrooms open onto the atrium that also provides stunning views of Capitol Hill and Downtown Atlanta and beyond.

SSOE worked in partnership with the courts, the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission (GSFIC), the Georgia Building Authority, and the Georgia State Properties Office from programming and planning, site selection, design, and construction over 10 years to complete this historic commission. Employing energy-efficient HVAC systems, LED lighting, water-saving devices, and Georgia-sourced materials including granite and marble, the facility is one of few in Georgia to achieve a three out of four Peaches in the Georgia Peach Green Building Rating System.

“This is a magnificent architectural achievement that should evoke pride in the entire state … it embodies the ideals of our courts, as well as Governor [Nathan] Deal’s deeply personal commitment to criminal justice reform and to this great state.”

Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, U.S. Supreme Court, at Nathan Deal Judicial Center Dedication Ceremony

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The Spartanburg County Courthouse was designed by SSOE beginning in 2018, in coordination with McMillan Pazdan Smith Architects and other consultants for judicial programming, landscape and site design, and structural engineering. The building, which completed construction at the end of 2023, is approximately 340,000 SF and contain 16 courtrooms that serve the Circuit, Family, Probate, and Magistrate Courts of the County. In addition, area is provided for the many Clerk of Court operations; Sheriff security and holding spaces; office space for the Solicitor, Public Defender, Probation & Parole, Juvenile Justice, and Guardian ad Litem; and other ancillary support components.

The new courthouse was constructed on the same site as the existing Judicial Center, which remained operational throughout the construction process. When the new building construction is occupied, the existing courthouse will be demolished and the sitework will be completed. A secure judicial parking area for approximately 30 vehicles was provided. An adjacent parking garage for public and staff parking was designed and constructed and includes 600 parking spaces.

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SSOE was selected to provide architectural and engineering design for the Sandusky County Courthouse’s interior renovation project. With the main part of the building dating back to 1844 and an expansion in the 1930’s, the courthouse’s interior was in need of significant modernization. Mindful of the building’s original Grecian design, SSOE was able to complement its 19th century style, while giving it 21st century functionality.

The age of the facility provided many obstacles that had to be overcome to ensure the design was feasible with the building’s current architecture and the schedule could be realized. The courthouse’s architectural improvements included ADA upgrades, enhancements to both public and staff areas, and department layout improvements to provide increased efficiency—marrying contemporary and traditional finishes throughout for a uniform appearance. Project savings were realized by preserving existing corridor marble walls with the removal of 100+ years of build-up.

The courthouse’s technology and security systems received a complete overhaul as well, which included installing a single point of entry with metal detectors, securing all remaining access doors with card reader access control. A complete lock down security system was installed with alert buttons placed in each department for use as needed. By better defining public and staff areas, we were able to improve workflow from one department to the next. Most importantly, employee safety was significantly enhanced through the security and mass notification measures put in place by SSOE’s data / fire / security experts.

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New Courthouse Facility

SSOE, in association with Justice Planning Associates and Goforth-Brown & Associates, was selected to design the new Florence County Judicial Center. Located directly across the street from the existing County Administration Building, the building features seven state-of-the-art courtrooms, a large jury assembly area, and designated public and private areas.

Three-Story Lobby & Landscaped Plaza

The spacious entry plaza and landscaped courtyard, reminiscent of a historic courthouse square, welcomes staff and visitors as they enter the facility.

Emphasis On Security

Special consideration is given to separating public traffic from a more restricted security zone, while a judges parking area is now separated from the general public. The three-story structure delineates the different functions of the county’s court system. Various support areas are easily expanded to accommodate two additional courtrooms in the future.

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Catalyst For Revitalization

Beyond answering overdue programmatic needs for the County, the new Judicial Center has become a catalyst for revitalization of the city’s downtown core. By transforming a vacant parking lot into the County’s new Center for Justice, our design team was able to create a beautiful, hardscaped entry portico along North Harvin Street.

Addressing Site Challenges

Additionally, a linear park was created, which spans the setback area from East Calhoun Street southward toward East Hampton Street. Required site circulation concerns were placed well away from the public side of the courthouse. All service vehicles and courthouse traffic now share a driveway toward the northeast corner of the facility, while a small restricted parking lot was created for the judges.

Traditional Elements

Based on traditional architectural elements, the new courthouse features four courtrooms, Clerk of Court, Sheriff’s holding area, judges’ chambers, jury deliberation rooms, public areas, and security core.

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Designing For The Future

York County recently constructed a new County Administration Building at the corner of South Congaree Street and West Jefferson Street. As a part of the project, the existing one-story Ag Building, which housed several county government departments, was demolished. The new site now offers the County the opportunity to consolidate most of the office space needed for day-to-day operations including internal space for future expansion. The programmatic needs called for 80,000-square feet of area. Considering the site, the solution is a four-story building of 20,000 square feet per floor.

Matching The Historic Fabric Of The Area

The new structure takes several design clues from the existing historic Courthouse. The government center is set back from South Congress to align with the Courthouse. A generous green space is uninterrupted for the entire block. Most of the existing trees remain and were supplemented by new plantings. Due to unusual topography, the scale of the new building is seen as a three-story structure along South Congress Street. The height is consistent with neighboring buildings in the area (the Courthouse and those across the street). As the grade drops to the rear of the site, the lowest level is exposed to become a four-story façade.

Creating A Traditional Exterior

The composition of the exterior is traditional in nature and has a cast stone base, brick mid-section, and topped with a cast stone cornice. A hipped roof hides the rooftop mechanical equipment, while the colors, textures, and scale are complementary to the town’s historic Courthouse. Further site development included the re-design and expansion of the parking lot. A garden wall hides the cars from South Congress as well as the addition of trees and landscaping. A secondary lot is also located at the rear of the site. The low portion of the site accommodates site drainage and is treated as an attractive feature.

The new York County Government Center is an 80,000 square foot County Administration Building located at the corner of South Congaree Street and West Jefferson Street across from the existing historic courthouse.

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Historical Integrity

SSOE worked with state officials to renovate the historic South Carolina State House. Intermittently constructed over a period of 50 years and renovated numerous times since its completion, SSOE successfully developed a design strategy that would protect the historical integrity of the building by restoring several areas obscured by prior renovations.

Adapting Existing Drawings

Where current needs demanded further modifications to the structure, unifying elements were created by adapting existing details pulled from archived drawings and newly developed site plans completed by the design team.

In order to address concerns surrounding the building’s current requirements for life safety, the restoration also involved replacing all mechanical, electrical, and fire protection systems with top-tier, state-of-the-art designs, while also incorporating all required codes, ADA, seismic (which involved the creation of a base isolation system – the first of its kind east of the Mississippi), and fresh air requirements. Additionally, interior finishes were upgraded to reflect the history and overall brand essence of the State of South Carolina.

“Must-See” Architecture

Hailed as one of the state’s most iconic structures, this 150 year old landmark, is a cultural “must-see” and features key renovations of the Senate and House chambers and gallery, main lobby, legislative meeting room, library mezzanine, Governor’s and Lt. Governor’s office and staff areas, legislative council room and press office.

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Prestigious New Courthouse

Based on the exterior vernacular of renowned courthouse architect Robert Mills, SSOE, in association with Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott, designed Richland County’s prestigious new federal courthouse.

Spacious Central Lobby

Featuring a central lobby anchored by a rotunda, the courts surround this public axis creating a striking space, while the large, open public lobbies provide circulation areas outside the district and magistrate judge courtrooms.

 

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Traditional Elements

This 100,000 square foot courthouse is located in the heart of  Lancaster  County’s downtown Historic District. Influenced by the architectural style of famed architect Robert Mills, the building was designed using traditional elements that were incorporated throughout the body of the development.

Security Emphasis

Asked to maintain a reasonable scale to the county’s existing courthouse, the entry pavilion was highlighted with its own gable roof form, creating a more traditional entry façade. Additionally, a two-story glass curtain-wall opens up to green spaces outside while the building’s interior spaces were arranged with emphasis placed on security.

Historical Building

The Lancaster  County Courthouse features six courtrooms, Clerk of Court, Probate Court, Sheriff’s holding area, jury assembly and deliberation rooms and judge’s chambers.

A Note From Steve Willis, County Administrator

“We were very pleased with the progress of the new courthouse. The design process went smoothly and SSOE kept us in the loop regarding all aspects of design. The communication of the design-build team to the Owner was, in one word, exemplary.”

 

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The project’s program was to solve access and security issues for a multi-building county courthouse complex. The site consisted of three existing buildings facing an exterior plaza. Two of the existing buildings, the county courthouse and old jail facility, both were constructed in the late 19th century of Ohio-quarried rock-faced Berea sandstone. The third building was constructed in the early 1970s of precast concrete panels. The solution required connecting the three buildings with an addition that would create an enclosed complex for approximately 500 people.

Functionally, the new addition needed to create a primary public entrance that clarified internal circulation and way-finding to all the county departments. The addition also needed to satisfy court security required by The Ohio Supreme Court. Aesthetically, the addition needed to complement the existing buildings.

Early in the design process, it was determined the addition should provide a transition between the architectural styles of the existing buildings. A pallet of materials was chosen that mirrors the original building materials. The introduction of the Berea sandstone, clay tile roofing, and natural concrete provides that transition of style to complement the entire complex. Minimized connections to the existing buildings permit them to stand on their own. The glass and skylights provide views to the architectural details of the past.

A relocated fountain from the 1970s serves as a focal point at the new entry plaza to the complex. The materials are introduced on the plaza and continue to the interior of the addition to reinforce the connective function of the addition. This new complex entrance does not compete with the primary facade and entrance of the courthouse. The design of the addition also permits the entire complex to be secured with only one entry point, satisfying the requirement of the Ohio Supreme Court.

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Significant Gathering Place

SSOE was selected by the Georgia Building Authority to create a new outdoor civic space expanding the Capitol Hill grounds and to provide  the public a new place of demonstration or celebration. Known as Liberty Plaza, this significant public gathering space has the State Capitol Building and other State Government Buildings as its backdrop and includes installations of relocated public art promoting Georgia’s rich history.

Complementary Accents

The plaza is supported by securable ornamental fencing, robust security monitoring, and state-of-the-art irrigation systems. It utilizes a native Georgia plant palette and Georgia granites in promotion of state resources, with colors and textures selected to work in concert with the State Capitol Building.

Facilitating Access

To create this civic plaza SSOE provided full design services along with Hughes Good O’Leary Ryan as the team’s landscape architect. The scope of work included the demolition of an existing circa 1954 parking deck, the creation of the open plaza, sidewalks and street trees, and an ADA accessible ramp to connect the new plaza to the existing adjacent overhead pedestrian bridge. Plaza entrances are designed with large public crowds in mind facilitating access from the city’s rapid rail and public parking, and is supported by a new small bus stop on Capitol Avenue just south of the plaza.

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A New Headquarters

The Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) constructed a new Headquarters Building on their existing property at 201 Pryor Street. The facility includes a new office building, the renovation of the existing headquarters building (originally built in the early 1900s and expanded in 1987), a new 150-space parking deck, and the creation of outdoor courtyard / collaboration spaces. The new facility faces both Trinity Avenue and Pryor Street and includes a new front door located off of Pryor Street.

Four Stories High With A New Parking Deck

The building is four stories tall with a connector to the existing building with connections at two levels. The building also shares an elevator and stair with a new parking deck which replaces their existing surface parking lot and consolidates all parking needs into their facility. The building also includes an exterior fourth-floor terrace with views of the Capitol building.

Building Accents

The parking deck is five levels with connections to the building at one, four, and five that corresponds to building levels one, two, and four. The building’s façade is red modular brick with large storefront windows on the ground level with precast arched headers. On the upper levels, punched windows have architectural precast headers, sills, and bands. The two-level connector is primarily a glazed wall system with a precast base and sill. The parking deck also has a red modular brick façade facing the street with active use office storefront openings on Level 1 and aluminum framed openings on the upper parking levels.

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Traditional Courthouse Located At The Center Of A Historic Town

The proposed Sumner County Courthouse will be located in the historic town of Gallatin in the center of downtown. The site slopes from front to back which helps in the separation of public, restricted, and highly secure zones within the building.

The new courthouse will house the Circuit and Chancery Courts, Criminal, and General Sessions Courts. The design will feature traditional design elements that will comfortably blend into the fabric of the historic county seat.

Designed in conjunction with Earl Swensson Associates, Inc., the new Sumner County Courthouse will feature more than 200,000 SF and will include a large jury assembly room, numerous courtrooms, Clerk of Court, Criminal, and General Session courtrooms.

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Architectural And Engineering Services

SSOE provided architectural and engineering design services for the new, nine-level South Parking Deck (GBA-180). The facility provides 1,166 parking spaces, including 256 reserved legislator spaces on the two lower levels.

Efficient Plans

The architectural style and material palette of the parking deck emulates the existing government office buildings on Capitol Hill. The efficient plan of the parking deck allows the original State Highway Board Building facing Mitchell Street to be retained and renovated with 32,750 SF of office space for state agencies.

Smooth Operation

Sustainable design features include rainwater harvesting and daylight harvesting LED lighting throughout the deck. The project includes two helipads located on the uppermost level with direct access to the north core. The deck features AVI technology (automatic vehicle identification) to ensure smooth operation at peak times of use. Timothy Haahs & Associates, Inc. served as the parking consultant on the project.

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Progressive Design

SSOE  designed a progressive, state-of-the-art courthouse within the context of a small, rural county setting. Special emphasis was given to separating the building’s three main areas: public, judge, and jury and security.

Traditional Styling

The county’s new courthouse was the initial phase and centerpiece of an 80-acre master plan and established the architectural language for subsequent structures, all characterized by traditional styling.

Key Facilities

Key facilities include four new courtrooms, Clerk of Court, judges suites, jury deliberation suites, a jury assembly room, holding cell, and security area.

A Note From Cheryl Graham, Clerk Of Court

“Even with strict budgeting constraints, SSOE designed a handsome building that will be a source of pride  for our community. The firm provided an efficient plan that answered all of the functional needs without wasting space. Additionally, the team always kept safety as a number one priority in the court and building layout.”

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New County Complex

SSOE worked with Horry County to create a new judicial and administration complex that features 11 courtrooms, judges’ chambers, jury rooms, numerous administration offices, and spacious public areas.

Creating Two Distinct Wings

By dividing the complex into two distinct wings – a two-story county government facility and three-story judicial center – our design team created a central sky lighted atrium and main lobby that served as the building’s front door and main connector to each wing.

Matching The Historical Fabric

On the judicial side, a clear delineation is established between the public accessible spaces and the secured jury rooms and judges’ chambers. Brick was selected to help blend the new complex into the historical context of the area. Additionally, traditional design elements were used to scale down the massing of the complex.

A Note From Gary Watson, Horry County Construction & Maintenance 

“Our new courthouse is beautiful and operates very efficiently – both from a systems standpoint and for the procedures of the courtroom. SSOE studied and produced an excellent security system for the building.”

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Respecting The Building’s Historical Significance

Originally constructed in the late 1820s, Colleton County Courthouse underwent a series of significant modifications that would improve the building’s courtroom operations and overall support functions. SSOE’s design team worked with the county to improve the building’s security by carefully addressing each of the concerns within the existing space, while also offering solutions that were respectful to the significance of the building’s history and current court system.

Honoring Robert Mills

The primary façade of the original courthouse, attributed to famed architect Robert Mills, includes a classical portico with a full entablature, a pair of “open-arm” stairs with wrought iron rails, scored stucco and large windows set in recessed arched panels. The new additions are sympathetic to the original design and included the addition of two porticos that are secondary, though complementary to the grand portico, at the main entrance.

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Addressing The Court’s Growth

Originally built in the early 1920’s and renovated in 1971, this former post office had become less efficient as a result of the growth of the court. Additionally, the building’s interior finishes, which evidenced more than 20 years of wear, were significantly out of date and needed to include upgrades that better reflected the nature of the state’s developing court system.

Capturing Additional Space With New Floor Plan

Renovated to capture additional square footage without adding on to the building’s original core, the building’s new floor plan is a marked contrast to the disparate groupings of the previous layout. The upper floors are divided into suites for the Justices with adjacent offices for their clerks and secretaries. By reducing the size of the first and second floor offices, our design team was also able to add an additional 13 offices.

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Historic Renovation

SSOE provided design services for the historic renovation of the 1920s South Carolina Court of Appeals. Due to the age and original construction of the building, the translation of functions from paper to viable working spaces posed several design challenges.

Creative Engineering

From an engineering perspective, the spatial layouts also had to accommodate the concealment of HVAC and electrical services in each of the restored areas. Unable to pull information from the original architect’s plans, the designers adapted existing molding and plaster detail in the creation of new millwork and decorative treatments.

Designing With Authenticity

Additionally, our team also discovered that several of the shaped profiles in the elevations existed in the marble work on the first floor, thus assuring accuracy in the overall restoration. By lengthening one bay to increase capacity, the courtroom appears architecturally as it originally did in 1927. Renovated areas included administration spaces, courtroom, library, and public areas.

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Historic Downtown Renovation

SSOE provided design services for an addition and renovation to the designated historic federal building, located in downtown Atlanta. The project is comprised of administrative office space for the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, which includes the rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of two existing historic buildings adjacent to the Tuttle Courthouse.

Smart Design Solutions

Our services included providing design solutions meeting both the security and circulation needs of the building.

Designed Using Latest Technologies

The project is designed utilizing Building Information Modeling (BIM) software, a 3D design-driven production method. This project is part of the GSA Design Excellence program and achieved LEED Gold certification.

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