Moshe Safdie—Designed Springfield Courthouse Gets a Builder

The U.S. General Services Administration has awarded a $53.3 million contract to Holyoke, Mass.-based Daniel O'Connell's Sons to construct a 162,000-sf Federal courthouse in Springfield, Mass.

Designed by Moshe Safdie and Associates, Somerville, Mass., the crescent-shaped facility features a colonnade entry pavilion that spirals around ancient Copper Beech, Linden, and Black Walnut trees. The entryway leads to a grand stair that ascends to the courtrooms on the building's third public level.

Public spaces are formed by a series of layers to satisfy security measures without compromising openness: the precast concrete colonnade, a glass screen with minimal framing, a limestone wall with large openings, and an inner wall.

The facility is located adjacent to the Church of the Catholic Diocese, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Springfield Public Library.

Slated for completion in September 2007, the courthouse will contain four courtrooms and support spaces for the U.S. District Court, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, U.S. Probation Office, U.S. Pretrial Office, U.S. Attorneys, U.S. Marshals Service, Congress, and GSA.