Orange County Courthouse

Comprised of a five-building complex, Heery’s design integrates courts, state’s attorney, public defender and a parking structure into one complex. The strong urban court yard organization embodies the central Florida region and anchors a major portion of the central business district at the midtown core. The design uniquely transforms in scale from a large structure at the skyline to the commercial and historic surroundings by locating the largest portion of the building in the center and flanking it with smaller structures. The architecture of the smaller buildings incorporates colonnades to further bond with the pedestrian scale of the city and adjacent complex.

The tower utilizes an “interstitial concept,” in which one floor housing judges and holding areas is sandwiched between two courtroom floors. Each court floor (with certain hybrid variation) is comprised of four courtrooms and associated jury deliberation, inmate staging, attorney conference, waiting consultation and support functions. High-volume court functions are located in the tower’s base.

A regional response is addressed with landscaping and open courtyards assuring the complex will continue to reinforce the lush landscape of Orange County. A color palette of limestone and green granite with a soft silver-gray glass suggest a “Florida” image. The exterior vertical expression evolves the image of a classical American courthouse—solid, dignified and balanced.