DAG Architects was part of a joint venture responsible for the design of a new addition to the historic Bay County Courthouse, which serves the 14th Judicial Circuit. The 54,000 SF addition includes 6 courtrooms and 7 judges’ chambers and hearing rooms, public spaces and court support spaces, all built over a secure parking and mechanical level. An elevated, enclosed and environmentally controlled connection links the addition to the existing courthouse and to the sally port. Carefully planned phasing allowed this major courthouse addition to being constructed while existing buildings, emergency exits, and inmate delivery systems remained operational.
The project was in the planning stages for seven years and underwent numerous modifications, starts, and stops. During schematic design phases, different options for the building’s layout, massing, and image were evaluated in order to meet the desired functionality, required historic standards, and the budget. Physical and computer models, sketches, and photographs were used to convey the different options to the County and judicial personnel. As the design progressed, several options for the courtroom expressions were studied and selected, and full-size plywood mockups of the courtrooms were constructed so each judge could specify any desired modifications before the construction documents were finalized.

AWARDS

 

Merit Award for Excellence for Interiors

AIA Florida Northwest, 2017