Siskiyou County Courthouse
The design philosophy for the Siskiyou County Courthouse aims to present the justice system as a supportive, rather than punitive, presence in the community. On a two-acre site, this project integrates multifunctional spaces including five courtrooms, in-custody and staff areas, and public services, tailored to diverse judicial activities.
The design balances security and openness, with careful circulation paths and discreet sallyport and arrival areas for people who are in custody, supporting the court’s dignified and equitable mission. The courthouse design includes spaces that make justice more accessible to all community members, such as a Self-Help legal center, creating a sense of welcome over fear and stigma.
Our design balances the courthouse’s civic presence with the diminutive scale of the adjacent residential neighborhood, which we achieved through careful massing, siting, and contextual materials. We took advantage of topography to elevate the entry façade while creating a sunken courtyard, thus diminishing the mass on the back, residential street. Strategic siting of the building also addresses other critical objectives, including privacy for the Judge Chambers and the creation of outdoor areas for court staff.
Daylight and views were key drivers in the design, utilized to create a calm and comfortable interior environment connecting the inside of the building to the historic town and the natural landscape beyond. This environmentally friendly courthouse incorporates advanced HVAC, water conservation, and energy-saving lighting, to achieve LEED Gold Certification.
Despite budgetary challenges and redesigns, the project adheres to its core values and objectives, ensuring functionality, aesthetics, and operational efficiency without compromise, ultimately delivering a project that was both on time and on budget.
Design Challenge
Balancing Security with a Sense of Openness and Welcome
A major project goal was to create a courthouse with high levels of security that, nonetheless, makes justice more accessible to all community members and creates a sense of welcome over fear and stigma. These requirements were achieved by establishing three distinct zones of secure, in-custody, and public circulation. Judges move through the building via a restricted elevator and corridors which connect the parking lot to their courtrooms and chambers. Similarly, the process of moving people who are in custody from the jail to the courtroom is achieved with a discreet series of vehicular sally ports, holding cells, and elevators that only intersect with the public or secure paths of travel once inside the courtroom. Upon passing through security screening at the building entrance, ease of public access and clear navigation to upstairs courtrooms and jury assembly room is achieved with a two-story lobby and public stair that is immediately seen upon entering the building. Public service counters, as well as the Self-Help Center and a high-volume courtroom make up much of the first-floor area.
Site, Scale, and Massing
Our design integrates with the local community through thoughtful massing and materiality, respecting the scale of neighboring homes. Leveraging the site’s topography, the design elevates the entry façade while creating a sunken courtyard, thus diminishing the mass on the back, residential street. Positioning the courthouse to ensure secure privacy for Judge Chambers, the design respects the need for confidentiality and security. Simultaneously, the creation of outdoor areas for court staff provides a private, serene environment for breaks and informal gatherings. Appropriate setbacks from neighboring residences and streets enhance the building's integration into its surroundings.
Maintaining Client Goals Amidst Redesigns Following the Financial Crisis
The design and construction schedule accommodated long pauses between phases, a result of the budgetary constraints following the 2008 financial crisis and under-funded escalation costs. The design team oversaw the design direction and interfaced with key stakeholders including Court Administrators, Judges, and the Judicial Council of California through all phases. Though the project’s budgetary constraints led to three redesigns, the design team maintained the project's core values and functional requirements without compromising on its essential functional, aesthetic, and operational objectives. Physical Context
Material Selection
The use of wood in the entry canopy and public spaces ceilings complements the material palette of Yreka's historic downtown and nods to the local timber industry's historical significance. A standout feature of the courthouse’s design is the integration of indigenous patterns and local artwork throughout the building. The approach pays homage to the cultural heritage of the community and reflects the strong community of artisans in Yreka.
Environmental Resilience
The site is in a hot desert climate, facing significant temperature fluctuations and harsh environmental conditions. By incorporating climate-responsive design elements, the courthouse is built to withstand extreme heat and freeze-thaw cycles, ensuring durability and reducing the need for frequent maintenance. As the threat of wildfires in this region intensifies each year, the building was designed to accommodate the general public as a shelter in local emergencies.
Working within the Judicial Council of California’s Design Guidelines, the selection of materials and design elements was made with an eye toward long-term building maintenance. For instance, the decision to keep wood ceilings for their warmth also considered the material's durability and ease of maintenance within a public building; while stone cladding on the interior was removed for cost savings, a woven mesh cover provides similar durability and texture.
Economic Renewal
The small town of Yreka has seen its population drop over the last 25 years. The courthouse's construction was envisioned as an economic engine and a symbol of state investment in the community. During the site selection process, we supported the selection of the downtown location as an opportunity to stimulate local economic activity and contribute to the town's revitalization. Our team offered solutions to some of the site’s difficulties, like the varying elevation and adjacency to a residential area, to encourage the selection. Our design emphasized the courthouse’s strong civic presence, further contributing to a revitalized historic downtown area.