The Charles R. Jonas Federal Building and Courthouse in Charlotte, N.C., is a historic Neo-classical edifice built in 1915. The building’s size was tripled in 1933. But more recently it has been badly in need of upgrading to 21st Century justice standards, especially in the areas of security, energy efficiency, and workspaces for support staff.
A Building Team that included the designer Robert A.M. Stern Architects and CGL Companies (which specializes in justice-related projects) recently completed a $164.7 million modernization and addition of an eight-story wing that accommodates nine new courtrooms, chambers, and support spaces. The new wing, which rises up behind the original building, maintains the courthouse’s Classical architectural presence along Charlotte’s skyline.
Unintrusive modernization of the Charles R. Jonas Federal Building and Courthouse
Charlotte-based Jenkins Peer Architects was AOR on this project, which was completed 11 months ago and had its ribbon cutting last May. fs3|Hodges was the CMa and Brasfield & Gorrie the CMc. The project added 195,719 sf, bringing the building’s total gross size to 315,685 sf. The new wing includes a top-floor Special Proceedings Courthouse and judges’ chambers. The addition is seeking LEED Gold certification.
Inside, a distinguishing feature is how the historic and new facades meet in a double-height stair hall inserted between the two structures. A skylight provides natural light from above the interiors. Outside, RAMSA created a two-story, lighted portico that mimics the columned front of the original building.
“We’ve successfully updated the Jonas Courthouse for the future without compromising on what has made it a treasured part of uptown Charlotte’s architectural fabric,” said Kevin Kelly, Partner at RAMSA, in a prepared statement. “For cities across the country, it’s an example of how significant and historic civic infrastructure can be modernized in a way that maintains a distinct character and presence.”
This project is the result of a 2012 examination by the U.S. Courts and General Services Administration for the potential reuse of the city-owned Jonas Courthouse to meet long-term housing needs. Charlotte agreed to a property exchange that returned ownership of the Courthouse to the GSA.
Related Stories
Engineers | Jun 14, 2023
The high cost of low maintenance
Walter P Moore’s Javier Balma, PhD, PE, SE, and Webb Wright, PE, identify the primary causes of engineering failures, define proactive versus reactive maintenance, recognize the reasons for deferred maintenance, and identify the financial and safety risks related to deferred maintenance.
Government Buildings | May 18, 2023
GSA launches first biennial construction award program
Today, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced the new biennial GSA Construction Award program, which is seeking submissions this summer. The program was created to honor outstanding achievements in construction, with a focus on quality and craftsmanship, collaboration and team dynamics, sustainability, innovation, and technology. The first Construction Awards ceremony will take place in 2024.
Mass Timber | May 1, 2023
SOM designs mass timber climate solutions center on Governors Island, anchored by Stony Brook University
Governors Island in New York Harbor will be home to a new climate-solutions center called The New York Climate Exchange. Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), The Exchange will develop and deploy solutions to the global climate crisis while also acting as a regional hub for the green economy. New York’s Stony Brook University will serve as the center’s anchor institution.
Urban Planning | Apr 12, 2023
Watch: Trends in urban design for 2023, with James Corner Field Operations
Isabel Castilla, a Principal Designer with the landscape architecture firm James Corner Field Operations, discusses recent changes in clients' priorities about urban design, with a focus on her firm's recent projects.
Market Data | Apr 11, 2023
Construction crane count reaches all-time high in Q1 2023
Toronto, Seattle, Los Angeles, and Denver top the list of U.S/Canadian cities with the greatest number of fixed cranes on construction sites, according to Rider Levett Bucknall's RLB Crane Index for North America for Q1 2023.
Contractors | Apr 10, 2023
What makes prefabrication work? Factors every construction project should consider
There are many factors requiring careful consideration when determining whether a project is a good fit for prefabrication. JE Dunn’s Brian Burkett breaks down the most important considerations.
Architects | Apr 6, 2023
New tool from Perkins&Will will make public health data more accessible to designers and architects
Called PRECEDE, the dashboard is an open-source tool developed by Perkins&Will that draws on federal data to identify and assess community health priorities within the U.S. by location. The firm was recently awarded a $30,000 ASID Foundation Grant to enhance the tool.
Sustainability | Apr 4, 2023
NIBS report: Decarbonizing the U.S. building sector will require massive, coordinated effort
Decarbonizing the building sector will require a massive, strategic, and coordinated effort by the public and private sectors, according to a report by the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS).
Government Buildings | Mar 24, 2023
19 federal buildings named GSA Design Awards winners
After a six-year hiatus, the U.S. General Services Administration late last year resumed its esteemed GSA Design Awards program. In all, 19 federal building projects nationwide were honored with 2022 GSA Design Awards, eight with Honor Awards and 11 with Citations.
Industry Research | Mar 2, 2023
Watch: Findings from Gensler's latest workplace survey of 2,000 office workers
Gensler's Janet Pogue McLaurin discusses the findings in the firm's 2022 Workplace Survey, based on responses from more than 2,000 workers in 10 industry sectors.
