Lowell Justice Center

[{"body":{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[],"sections":[[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"A contemporary vision deeply rooted in the\nrich history of Lowell, Massachusetts, this justice center arose from a\ncarefully considered and comprehensive feasibility study. Ten years passed\nbefore this project moved from study to completion, but this cutting-edge and\nenergy-efficient building now houses Middlesex County\u2019s courts and supporting\nprogram spaces. Anchoring a primary entrance to downtown Lowell, the center is\na symbol of justice and a considerable reinvestment in the city. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The center occupies a 3.2-acre site along the\nnorthern edge of the Hamilton Canal Innovation District within Lowell National\nHistoric Park, which highlights the region\u2019s textile manufacturing legacy.\nAcross seven stories and 264,500 square feet, the building contains 17\ncourtrooms that serve five different court departments. It\u0027s universally accessible with all points accessible via the same path and public transportation is provided by commuter rail and bus lines and has bike racks on-site."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Its L-shaped scheme is organized around the\nrational tacking of departments with a jury pool room, arraignment\ncourtroom, and district courts located on the lower floors. Functions that\nrequire more privacy\u2014juvenile, housing, superior, probate, and family courts\u2014are\nhoused on the upper levels. Clerk and probate transaction areas are grouped in\neasily identified midpoints between pairs of courtrooms, while the judicial\nchambers sit within a collegial suite on intermediate floors so that judges are\nwithin one level of their courtroom. Separate circulation paths for public,\nprivate, and detention functions solidify internal security. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"A significant challenge facing the design team\nwas providing abundant natural light and views while simultaneously delivering\na highly efficient building. Its site orientation, massing, space planning, and\ncarefully selected materials and systems all contributed to its LEED Platinum certification,\nthe first state courthouse in the country to achieve that important status.\nMost of its public spaces and courtrooms feature direct natural light, while\nborrowed light pours through clerestory windows to enhance the interior\ncourtrooms."]]],[1,"blockquote",[[0,[],0,"\u201cIt\u2019s impressive that the team managed to place courtrooms along the exterior in order for them to have direct windows. That requires very clever space planning for the project\u2019s layout. This project exudes justice while keeping its integrity.\u201d - Jury comment"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The center responds to its context in numerous\nways. Outside, its volume is clad in locally sourced granite and references\nsurrounding mill buildings with a series of punched windows that draw in\nnatural light. A two-story curtainwall glass art installation designed by\nartist Martin Donlin greets visitors at the lobby. It includes symbols of\njustice and imagery referencing Lowell\u2019s \u201cmill girls,\u201d young workers who\ntraveled to the city for work during the Industrial Revolution. Inside, the\nlobbies highlight the city\u2019s textile industry in a horizontal tile pattern that\nevokes woven fabric, and wayfinding is offered in the city\u2019s four most common\nlanguages."]]]]},"title":"Project Highlights"},{"body":{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[["a",["href","https:\/\/www.aia.org\/resources\/6077668-framework-for-design-excellence","target","_new"]],["strong"],["em"]],"sections":[[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"AIA Framework for Design Excellence"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The "],[0,[0],1,"AIA Framework for Design Excellence"],[0,[],0," represents the defining principles of good design in the 21st century. Comprised of 10 principles and accompanied by searching questions, the Framework seeks to inform progress toward a zero-carbon, equitable, resilient, and healthy built environment."]]],[1,"p",[]],[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Design for Integration"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Was there a design charrette? "],[0,[],0,"Yes"]]],[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Design for Equitable Communities"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Level of community engagement:"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"* Consult: Stakeholders were provided with opportunities to\nprovide input at pre-designed points in the process."]]],[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Design for Ecosystems"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Site area that supported vegetation (landscape or green roof) pre-development: "],[0,[],0,"Not\napplicable"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Site area that supports vegetation post-development: "],[0,[],0,"40%"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Site area covered by native plants supporting native or migratory species and pollinators: "],[0,[],0,"100%"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Strategies used to promote Design for Ecosystems:"],[0,[],0," Biodiversity, Dark\nskies, Habitat conservation, flora\/fauna, Abatement of specific regional environmental concerns\n"]]],[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Design for Water"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Is potable water used for irrigation?"],[0,[],0," No"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Is potable water used for cooling?"],[0,[],0," Yes"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Is grey\/blackwater reused on-site?"],[0,[],0," No"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Is rainwater collected on-site?"],[0,[],0," Yes"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Stormwater managed on-site:"],[0,[],0," 40"]]],[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Design for Energy"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"2030 Commitment baseline EUI:"],[0,[],0," 30.45 kBtu\/sf\/yr"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Predicted net EUI including on-site renewables: "],[0,[],0,"29.37\n kBtu\/sf\/yr"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Reduction from the benchmark: "],[0,[],0,"4%"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Is the project all-electric?"],[0,[],0," No"]]],[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Design for Well-being"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Level of air filters installed: "],[0,[],0,"MERV 12-14"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Was a \u201cchemicals of concern\u201d list used to inform material selection?"],[0,[],0," Yes"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Do greater than 90% of occupied spaces have a direct view to the outdoors? "],[0,[],0,"No"]]],[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Design for Resources"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Were embodied carbon emissions estimated for this project?"],[0,[],0," No"]]],[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Design for Change"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Estimated service life: "],[0,[],0,"100"],[0,[1],1," "],[0,[],0,"years"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Floor area, if any, representing adapting existing buildings:"],[0,[],0," Not applicable"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Ability to survive without utility power:"],[0,[],0," Partial\nback-up power\n"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Risk assessment and resilience services provided: "],[0,[],0,"None of the above"]]],[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Design for Discovery"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Has a post-occupancy evaluation been conducted? "],[0,[],0,"No, and a POE will not be conducted."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Building performance transparency steps taken:"]]],[3,"ul",[[[0,[],0,"Present the\ndesign, outcomes, and\/or lessons learned to the office."]],[[0,[],0,"Present the design, outcomes, and\/or lessons learned\nto the profession."]],[[0,[],0,"Present the design, outcomes, and\/or lessons learned to the public."]],[[0,[],0,"Publish lessons learned\nfrom design, construction, and\/or occupancy."]]]],[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Disclaimer"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[2],1,"This information is being provided as a convenience and has been prepared by third parties. It is provided for informational purposes only. Providing this material does not constitute an endorsement or approval by AIA of any of the information. AIA bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality, or content of this information. Please use at your own discretion."]]]]},"title":"Framework for Design Excellence"}]