Saint Marys University

Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya

School of Engineering and Architecture

In Partial Fulfillment
Of The Requirements for the Subject

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 5

A Case Study of a
COURTHOUSE/REGIONAL JUSTICE TRIAL COURT

Submitted by: Randell P. Taguiling

Submitted to: Arch. Bobby U. Argote

COURTHOUSE/REGIONAL TRIAL COURT

The Regional Trial Courts (RTC) is the highest trial courts in the
Philippines which are also known as Courthouse in other country. A
courthouse is a building that is home to a local court of law and often the
regional county government as well, although this is not the case in some
larger cities. The term is common in North America. In most other English
speaking countries, buildings which house courts of law are simply called
"courts" or "court buildings". In most of Continental Europe and former nonEnglish speaking European colonies, the equivalent term is a palace of
justice ("Palais de Justice").
The Regional Trial Courts was formerly called as the Court of First
Instance since the Spanish era. It continued throughout its colonization under
Spanish and Americans. After the Independence from the United States,
Republic Act No. 296 or Judiciary Act of 1948 was enacted to reinforce its
jurisdictional powers of the Court of First Instance. Under its law, it has the
power to try civil and criminal cases, as well as appeals from the decisions
made by the municipality and city Justice of the Peace courts.
However, there were numerous cases (both civil and criminal) yet to
resolve or being delayed for years due to its nature. In addition, there were
special courts made to try specialized cases like criminal, agricultural, and
family to decongest cases, which unfortunately ended up complicating the
judiciary system. Therefore, the Interim Batasang Pambansa has passed
Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, or The Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980, which
reorganized the lower and intermediate courts in the country, which include
the change of Court of First Instance to Regional Trial Court.

Courthouse/Trial court as a whole

Legal
Spaces

Law
Enforceme
nt Spaces

Probation
health and
welfare
Spaces

Governme
ntal
Spaces

Space requirements

Table 1 Shows the area for movement and furniture (including working
and seating surfaces) which each person in the courtroom requires. The no
encroachment distance of 5-6 feet for the judge insures a degree of privacy
commensurate with his role. A no encroachment distance surrounding jurors
and witnesses helps prevent violation of the jurors impartial role by
attorneys and lessens the impact of attempts to intimidate witnesses.
Numerous cases involve several parties and more than one attorney
for each side. Space should be provided for four attorneys and four parties,
an area of 192-240 square feet. In addition, a space of 112-140 square feet
must be provided for twelve jurors and two alternates.
Thirty jurors are usually called for examination(vair dire), if thirty
spectators are assumed, the total public and observation seating area
required would be 180-240 square feet, with perhaps an additional 50-75
square feet for the press. A total space of 534-695 square feet is required to
accommodate all active (340-380 square feet) and passive (230-315 square
feet) participants. This does not include circulation spaces.

Space Attributes
Key design concerns in courtrooms include separate circulation
patterns for public, prisoner, and judiciary members; special attention to
acoustic and lighting levels; and balancing information technology and A/V
systems design with the need for highly aesthetic spaces. Typical features of

courtroom space types include the list of applicable design objectives

elements as outlined below. For a complete list and definitions of the design
objectives within the context of whole building design, click on the titles
below.

Accessible

Courtrooms shall comply with ADA Accessibility Guidelines, section

808, for turning space, clear floor space (jury box and witness stand), judges'
benches and courtroom stations.
Accessibility lifts: Lifts will have welded construction with electrohydraulic operation. Ramps will be provided to Clerks and Jury Box areas. A
lift will be provided to the Witness Stand. Judge's Bench will be served by
stair and shared with Witness Stand lift with additional stop. See GSA's
Mechanical Lift Analysis (Accessibility Method for Accommodation of
Physically Disabled People in the U.S. Courthouse Courtrooms).

Aesthetics

High ceilings: To enhance spatial quality and create a "civic" aesthetic

appropriate for the proceedings and unobstructed courtroom interior views
for all participants.
Custom millwork and furnishings: AWI Premium Grade architectural
millwork, wainscot or full wall height.
Seating: Jury seating is usually fixed based swiveling chairs with
upholstered seats, and clear floor space to accommodate wheelchairs; and
may be fitted with A/V monitors. Spectator seating is typically a wooden pew
type, or may be upholstered auditorium type seating.

Functional / Operational

Occupancy group classification: is Business B-2, Assembly A-3, with

sprinklered protected construction and GSA Acoustical Class A for critical
noise-sensitive spaces.

Productive

Acoustical treatments such as upholstered walls or wall/ceiling panels.

The Judge must be able to confer with counsel at the bench out of earshot of
other participants.
Raised floors: A Judge's Bench has a 24" raised dais above the
courtroom floor; Courtroom Deputy Clerk and Law Clerk stations have a 6"
raised dais; Witness Stands have 12" raised dais; and Jury Boxes have a twolevel raised platform at 6" and 12" above the courtroom floor. The public

seating area and courtroom "well" have a raised floorthe preferred system
for distribution of critical services (power, voice, data, and HVAC) in
Courtroom space types. Raised floors for Courtrooms may have low-pressure
high induction diffusers and be constructed of concrete filled metal pans at
24" modules with pedestal and stringer support, with intermediate support.
Raised floors allow for adjustment of services to participant furnishings
(tables, lecterns, and seating) to accommodate line-of-sight and acoustical
separation requirements.
Pressurized raised floor air supply with ceiling plenum.
AHUs are part of the building shell and core provisions; assume this
space type requires a 25% increase in cooling capacity. Provide one AHU for
every pair of courtrooms. Courtrooms to have separate zones for the well
and public seating. Provide separate thermostat controls at the Judge's
Bench and the Deputy Courtroom Clerk. The Grand Jury Hearing Room to be
a separate zone from other spaces in the Grand Jury Suite.

Secure / Safe

Special finishes: Federal courtrooms typically require ballistics

cladding integral with Judges' benches and other special security features
per U.S. Marshals Service design standards.
Special security features: Emergency power is provided by
generator(s) in building shell and core provisions. Provision for attackresistant, short-term exhibit storage (safe) is required.

Communication and Spatial Patterns

The four types of communications in every courtroom are visible,
audio, movement of people, and document transfer. By studying the
frequency and importance of communications, a communication pattern is
developed for each person in relation to every other person in the courtroom.
The communication pattern is then utilized to show how each person should
be spatially related to every other person. The patterns for the four types of
communications, together with the unit space requirements, provide the
analytical basis for a courtroom plan.
A Total Communication System
By combining the separate analysis of visual and audio
communications, movements of people and document transfer, a total
pattern of communications is achieved (fig. 2). The attorneys and judge are

the main nodes of communications, followed in importance by the witness

and the jury.

Figures 3 and 4 are the final composite spatial disposition diagrams

resulting from a superimposition of separate diagrams. These diagrams
reveal that if the visual requirements of the active participants are met, most
of the other requirements are fulfilled.

In Fig. 3 (alternate a) the bailiff can move unobtrusively to judge,

witness, and jury; easily supervise and escort witnesses and jurors; run
errands for the judge; and keep the public and press under control
surveillance. In figure 4(alternate b), he has to cross the room to reach the
jurors.
In both diagrams the witness is located within the private conversation
zone of the judge. To keep him (her) out this zone and still meet the visual
requirements, the space around which the active participants are grouped
must be expanded. Failing this, the judges bench should be designed so that
the end farthest from the witness box can be used for private talks between
judge and counsel with the reporter present.
Only visual and audio requirements need be considered in the location
of the public and press. No satisfactory visual location of the observation
area permits it to fall wholly within the desirable audio zone, although
alternate A is better in this respect than any other disposition.
Courtroom Accessibility
Participants entering the courtroom should be able to get to their
respective locations as directly as possible, a goal best achieved by placing
access points close to their locations (fig. 7 and 8). The diagrams are not
meant to pinpoint the exact location of each entrance, but simply to indicate
its general position, nor is it implied that each type of participant should
have a separate entrance.

Movement of participants from spaces outside the courtroom to their

points of access should also be as direct as possible. The judge and the court
staff, coming from their chambers and staff offices, should not have to go
through the public areas of the courthouse to get into the courtroom. This is
not merely a matter of convenience. Personal contact between jurors and the
public should be avoided under all circumstances to minimize the risk of
mistrial. Separate public, private, and security zones must be established in
the courthouse, with similar zones of access to the courtroom.

The alternate plans show the judge, court staff, and jurors coming from
their outside private zone and going directly to their stations within the
courtroom. The public and the press should be able to enter their
observation area directly from the public zone. Attorneys and witnesses
should be able to enter their waiting areas from the public zone and from
there go directly to their stations in the courtroom. Prisoners should come
directly through a separate security zone to a detention space near the
bailiffs station.

Nonjury trials and ancillary functions

The current trend in the court system is toward achievement of a
speedier and more effective administration of justice. In the nonjury trial,
participants are few and the operations are simple; in formal and informal
hearings, the participants are even fewer and the operations simpler. Thus,

the physical requirements of these proceedings are modified accordingly

from those of the jury trial.
Courtrooms equipped for full jury trials can of course, be used for
nonjury trials and hearings. A flexible arrangement of furniture, with front
rows which can double as an attorneys table is desirable.
Hearings
Whether a hearing is formal or informal, its primary characteristics is
variety. There is a broad spectrum of legal proceedings ranging from
adaption to bankruptcy to arraignment to general motion practices. There is
an equivalent range in the extent to which hearings can dispose of cases. A
hearing may result in final disposition, temporary resolution, and resolution
of one part of a larger proceeding or a temporary postponement. The degree
to which a hearing is an adversary proceeding can also range widely within
the same type of hearing, whether formal or informal. The same is true of
the number and types of persons involved, as well as the degree of simplicity
or complexity of their activities. Despite diversity, certain general
observations can be made about the objectives of both formal and informal
hearings.
Informal hearings require flexibility seasoned with kindly or business
responses from the presiding officer. The hearing should aim at maximum
interchange within a quasi-private environment informality can be achieved
without loss of dignity and with minimum restraint on all participants,
including the presiding officers. Flexibility is required because of the great
variety of legal proceedings heard informally. When personal problems are
involved, an atmosphere pf calm and friendly concern is needed. For fiscal
matters like bankruptcy or small claims and atmosphere of efficiency and
business like involvement is desirable.

Requirements of nonjury trials and Formal Hearings

o It is more practical to have one room which can be adapted to
fewer participants and differing degrees of formality.
o Furniture should be movable and adjustable in height, so that its
arrangement can conform to the degree of formality.
o Adjustable partitions and ceilings allow for change in the size and
character of the room as needed.
o There is only a slight variation in the degree of importance of the
bailiff.

Requirements of Informal Hearings

o The only participants are the judges or hearing officer, the clerk,
and the party or parties, although attorneys or other
representatives of the parties, a court reporter and witnesses
also attend at times.
o Even if open to the public and press, the degree of public interest
is so low that observers can readily be accommodated with a few
extra chairs.
o The communication patterns among participants in such
hearings are similar to those in trials, but simplified by the
absence of the bailiff, jury, public, and others.

The District Court

Court spaces most frequently required in federal buildings are for
the district court which holds sessions in the principal cities of its judicial
district and generally has its headquarters in the largest or most centrally
located city in the district.

Description
Jurisdiction
The district court is the federal court of original jurisdiction where
cases are given their initial trial. Each state comprises at least one judicial
district and, depending upon the volume of business and its geographical
distribution, a state mat be divided into two or more judicial districts.
Spaces Required

Courtroom
Judges suite
Court officers quarters
Petit jury room
Grand jury room
Witnesses room

Court Officers Requiring Quarters

At each place of holding court, space will be required for the
following officers:

United State district judges(one or more, depending upon

the volume of business within the district)
Clerk of the court
United states attorney
United states marshal
Probation and parole office (one or more)
Court reporter (one or more)

The District Courtroom

Location
The courts activities revolve around the courtroom, so it should
be centrally located. Spaces for the officers of the court should be placed
with regard to their functions in the courtroom and their responsibilities to
the judge. (Fig. 1 to 3)

Illumination
Natural lighting may be restricted to auxiliary offices, the
courtroom itself having no outside exposure.
Dimensions
The minimum size of a district courtroom is 38 ft. in width by
58 ft. in length. The ceiling height of a courtroom should be proportionate
to its size and to the requirements of proper illumination, ventilation or air
conditioning, and acoustics.
Courtroom entrances
Public entrances located at the end of the courtroom
opposite the judges bench and fitted with double doors
swinging out into a courtroom lobby.
Side entrances provide an entrance, for attorneys and
press reporters, to the courtroom area in front of the railing
and benches for the public.
Furniture
Built-in furniture
o 1 judge bench and witness stand
o 1 clerk of court desk and court reporter
o 1 jury box
o 12 benches with gate and railings
Fixed chair
o 1 armchair for witness stand-rotary fixed-pedestal
o 14 armchairs for jurors, rotary-fixed pedestal
Movable furniture
o 3 judges chair
o 1 clerk of court armchair-rotary
o 1 court reporter armchair-rotary
o 10 attorneys armchair-rotary
o 10 armchairs for general use
o 2 attorneys tables 120 by 48 in.
o 1 press reporters table 120 by 48 in.
o 1 flagstaff shaft top 9 ft. above floor

Judges Suite
Components - Judges entire suite includes the following rooms:

Judges office
Judges library

Judges reception room

Judges toilet
Judges coat closet
Secretary and reception room
Criers vestibule
Law clerks office
Coat closet
Supply closet

Location
The judges suite must be located adjoining the courtroom. A
corner office for the judge is generally preferred, but it may be necessary to
place it elsewhere to get maximum freedom from street noises. See fig. 4.
Locate the judges office to provide access to the bench either directly from
his office or through a private passage, so that the judge will not have to go
through any public space. The judges office must connect with a corridor, so
that he may enter or leave without passing through any other office.
Entrances
The entrances required for circulation within the judges chamber
are shown on figs. 1 and 4. Where several courtrooms are grouped on a floor,
judges may pass to the courtrooms through a common private corridor. In
multistory buildings, it is desirable to have the judges suite adjacent to the
courtrooms so that the judges do not have to go through public spaces or
use public elevators when going to or from court. Public entrance must be
provided for the secretarys office.
Secretary and Reception Room-Criers Vestibule
Location- locate the secretary and reception room between
the judges private office and the law clerks office. Refer to
figs 2 and 4. The first point of entrance to the suite by the
public is through the vestibule occupied by the crier.
Area and furniture The room shall have a minimum area
of 350 sq. ft. and the secretarys space shall be divided by
a railing and gate from the reception space, which shall be
not less than 7ft. wide.
Entrances figure 4 shows the preferred arrangement of
entrances between the rooms it is not desirable to put
closets or toilets between the secretarys office and the
judges office.
Law clerks office

The law clerks office usually should adjoin the secretarys office
so that the secretary can receive the clerks visitor as well as those for the
judge. There need not be an independent public entrance unless the plan
naturally permits one. Usable wall space shall be line with flush, adjustable,
built-in wood bookshelves from the floor to the top of the doors.
Judges library
When a judges library is provided, no separate space for the law
clerk will be supplied, since he will have his office in the library. It is best
located adjoining the secretarys office and shall be large enough to store the
number of law books required. Provide adjustable, built-in wood bookshelves.

United State Attorney

Duties and location
The United States attorney represents the government in all
cases, both civil and criminal, tow which the government is a party or
in which it has an interest.
Components
The United States attorney has a headquarters at some designed
city in the judicial district, not necessarily the same city where the
judges headquarters are located.
Spaces required:

United States attorneys office

Coat closet and toilet
Reception room
Secretarys office
Chief assistant, United States attorneys office
Assistant, United States attorneys office
Stenographers office (two stenos each)
Conference room
Visiting attorneys room
Library
Administrative assistants office
Vault
Clerks and files room
Supply room-general-duplicating
Storage room

United States attorneys office

The office shall have a minimum area of 300 sq. ft.

Reception room
It adjoins the secretarys office and should be located between
the office of the United State attorney and that of the administrative
assistance. The minimum area of the reception room shall be 300sq. ft. it
shall be planned to seat visitors and to permit control of intercommunicating
doors by the receptionist.
Secretarys office
In metropolitan areas there is a great deal of work, the United
States attorney may require the service of a private secretary, whose office
usually is located between the office of the United States attorney and the
reception room.
Chief Assistant United States Attorneys Office
The office of the chief assistant United States attorney shall be
minimum area of 250sq. ft. locate it adjoining the office of the United States
attorney.
Conference room
The conference room shall have a minimum area of 250 sq. ft. A
large installation may require several conference rooms, located for the
convenient use of the attorneys. This room should be sound treated.
Assistant United States Attorneys Office
Offices of the assistant United States attorneys should be
adjacent to each other and convenient to the chief assistant United States
attorney. Each office shall have a minimum area of 180sq. ft.
Library
The library is used by all of the attorneys in the suite and
therefore should open on a corridor.
Administrative Assistants office
Should be located adjoining the reception room on the side
opposite the United States attorneys office and shall have a minimum area
of 230 sq. ft.
Vault

A vault for the administrative assistant, opening into his office,

shall have a minimum size of 6 by 9 ft.
Work and supply rooms
A general work and supply room convenient to the administrative
assistants staff shall have a minimum area of 50 sq. ft. It may be necessary
to provide a separate room with electrical outlet for a mimeograph machine,
Photostat machine or other duplicating equipment.
Stenographers office
Provide administrative assistant/stenographers office between
the offices of assistant United States attorneys, allowing a minimum area of
100 sq. ft. per desk. Generally there will be a ratio of two stenographers for
three attorneys.
Clerks and files room
The room for the clerks and files shall adjoin and connect with
the administrative assistants office.

United States Marshall

Duties
The United States marshal is charged with the custody of
prisoners and their production in court, the maintenance of order in the
courtroom, the service of processes, the appearance of witnesses, the
collection and disbursement of certain monies and fees, the custody of
certain property in the possession of the court, and other special duties
assigned by the court.
Location
Should be located with relation to the courtroom that prisoners
can pass directly to it from the detention cells without exposure to public
contact or view. If the suite is located one floor above or below the court
room, a private stair which offers no opportunity for escape must be
provided for prisoners. In multistory building with courtrooms on different
floors, a private elevator to transport
prisoners from lower floor or
basement entrance to the marshals detention cells and to and from the
courtrooms is usually required.
Components
Space required:

Marshals office

Toilet
General office
Vault
Bookkeepers office
Deputy marshals office
Interviewing room
Fingerprinting room
Detention cells for men and for women
Holding cells
Storage rooms
Evidence storage room ( may be in basement)

Clerk of the District Court

Duties
The clerk is the administrative officer of the court. He receives
cases for filing in the court, maintains the records of its proceedings and
actions, organizes its calendar, receives and disburses its money, and gives
information to attorneys and interested parties regarding the disposition of
cases as recorded in his office.
Location
It is desirable to locate the clerk near the courtroom and
convenient to the judge. In multiple courts the clerk should be easily
accessible to the public.
Components
Space required:

Clerks office and toilet

Chief deputy clerks office
General office, with public space and files
Examination room
Supply room
Work room
Vault
Exhibit room
File rooms as required
Naturalization clerks office, with public space

Referee in bankruptcy

Duties
The referee conducts hearings, holds conferences, make findings,
and reports to the judge the findings and disposition of bankruptcy cases.
Full time referee, chief and two or three assistant clerks.
Components
The referees work varies in the different districts, and the
rooms and personnel in each office will vary accordingly.
Spaces Required:

Hearing room
Referees office (with toilet)
General office with public space
Chief clerks office
File room
Trustees room

Miscellaneous assignments
Quarters for visiting judges
When these are required, the spaces shall be generally similar to
those provided for the resident judge.
Court reporter
Duties and location- the court reporter makes the official
verbatim record of the court proceedings and furnishes transcripts when
required. His office may be located anywhere in the building
Components and Furniture- the reporters quarters will include a
general office with file space, having a minimum area of 200sq. ft. if the
building has one courtroom for each additional courtrooms, add 50 sq. ft. to
the general office.

Reference:
http://www.wbdg.org/design/courtroom.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courthouse
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regional_Trial_Court
Time-saver Standards for building types 2nd edition
By: Joseph De Chiara & John Callender