Client: Administrative Office of the Courts, Office of Court Construction and Management
Size: 7,300 sq. ft.
Cost: $4,500,000
Completion: Summer 2009
Delivery Method: Design-Bid-Build
Location: Portola, CA
Service: Site Acquisition, Programming, Planning, Architectural Design, Construction Administration
Principal-in-Charge: Mike Corrick
Senior Project Manager: Eric Fadness
Project Architect: Michael Patrick
Director of Design: Andy McPherson
Project Manager: Lorenzo Lopez
General Contractor: SW Allen
Construction Manager: Kitchell
Mechanical Engineering: Capital Engineering Consultants
Electrical Engineering: The Engineering Enterprise
Civil Engineering: RSC Engineering
Structural Engineering: CYS
Cost Estimating: Sierra West Group
Audiovisual/Acoustical/Low Voltage: Smith Fause & McDonald
Landscape: Wild Landscape
The Plumas-Sierra Courthouse is the first multi-jurisdictional courthouse in California, strategically located to serve Portola, Loyalton and the Highway 395 Corridor, which becomes isolated due to snow and geography in the winter. The single story building, a replacement to an existing facility in Portola, accommodates one jury courtroom, chambers, jury deliberation, clerks’ area and a self-help center. While the design and planning represent contemporary thinking, the attractive finish materials are based on regional examples ensuring that the building fits harmoniously in its environment and will aid in minimizing maintenance and repairs. Courthouse staff have commented on an improvement in public relations and a noticeable increase in visitor respect because the design represents the community and has been adopted by the people it serves.
The functions within the courthouse are organized volumetrically, assisting visitors with way finding, separating staff from public circulation and ensuring the structure appears civic in nature. The orientation of the roof plane allows for expansion but does not compromise the ability to shed snow, which is critical for this location.