Federal Courthouse
Coming soon:
The new U.S. Courthouse in Buffalo will be a 10-story tower located on approximately 1 acres in the northwest corner of Niagara Square.
The 265,000 gross square foot structure was designed by the architectural firm of Kohn Pederson Fox of New York to express the dignity and transparency of the federal judicial system, while providing the U.S. District Court with five courtrooms and six chambers, the Magistrates with four courtrooms and four chambers, a Court of Appeals chamber, and a satellite library, along with necessary facilities for preparatory space for the U.S. Attorney and Federal Public Defender. The building will also provide secure below grade indoor parking for 54 vehicles.
A curved south wall, enclosing the public lobbies, orients the courthouse toward the Square, while a transparent glass curtain wall reveals activity within. A fritted veil of glass planes, suspended in front of the pre-cast skin of the ellipse, reinforces the inherent grace of the shape with an expression of lightness. A glass entry pavilion establishes the street wall of the north end of the square and creates an internal courtyard interlocked with the tower form. The elevator tower topped with a glowing lantern firmly anchors the structure to the site, and marks the urban context at both ground and sky.
The building will also feature a work by artist Robert Mangold, who was raised in Buffalo. Mangolds piece will consist of large-scale translucent colored glass panels which will be located in the entry pavilion.
The George Segal sculpture "Restaurant," that had been located at the former Thaddeus J. Dulski Federal Building in Buffalo, is currently in temporary storage. This sculpture will be located at the new U.S. Courthouse site on Delaware Avenue in the future.
It is currently anticipated that this courthouse will achieve a LEED-Gold rating.
Info Source: US General Services Administration
Related