Denver’s $350 million new Justice Center is now in its final year of construction. The Detention Facility is supposed to open Spring 2010, and the Courthouse later that summer. With most of the exterior now complete, one can finally start to get a sense for how well the buildings fit in their place in the city and how they engage the emotions (or not).
First, some photos (thanks again to Vicki), starting with the Detention Facility. From left to right: northeast corner, northwest corner, southwest corner, southeast corner.
I’m picking up a slight Art Deco vibe from this building. Maybe it’s the exterior color and materials or something, but it sort of reminds me of an oversized modern second cousin to the Boulder County Courthouse. For a jail, and considering it’s not finished yet, I’m thinking this building may be OK.
Next, the Courthouse. From left to right: northeast corner, northwest corner, southwest corner, southeast corner.
To me, this building gives off little hints of International Style. I see similarities between this building and the base of the Wellington Webb building (both Tryba’s addition and the historic Annex portion along Colfax). I’m still not particularly fond of the glassy Jury Assembly Room that juts out into the plaza, but I do like overall the dramatic glass curtain wall on the main structure. I think both buildings will look quite nice in the evening, assuming the city plans to install appropriate accent lighting on each structure.
The plaza planned for in between these two buildings hasn’t been installed yet so it’s too early to pass judgement, but it seems to me that the buildings are too far apart from each other and that the plaza will feel a little too exposed, but we’ll see.
I never thought I would say this, but so far I actually like the new jail better than the new courthouse. Kudos to the architects!
– Michael
I just hate this building. The architecture is great for anything but a courthouse. If there's one building in town that should have square, boring, predictable lines it should be the COURTHOUSE. Althought maybe a crooked building is appropriate.
Be sure to check out the article regarding the construction of a replica of the Mizpah Arch in today's Post:
http://www.denverpost.com/ci_13196411?_requestid=4543241
I was wondering how things were going with the "slab o' shame" Thanks for the update.
I'm actually not minding this either so far. I also like how they put the post office on the ground floor of the parking garage across the street from the Mint. Also the newer bike lanes along
14th are great too! I wish they would extend them all the way up to Colorado Blvd, really connecting neighborhoods, parks, etc with alternatives to driving and not risking your life to do so!
Well…
I think if we put archers on the jail's roof, we could have our very own castle/fortress!
I think your right about the plaza, but we'll have to wait and see. I hope its a ped-friendly place. The courthouse looks great!
Thanks to Anon for the Denver Post article. It would be great to see the sign on the Union S. property!
I agree with the optimism about how the justice center project is turning out.
That said, there should be a law among architects against huge stretches of wall surface without windows. I don't care if you're building an office building or a courthouse; windowless stretches are never good. I don't care if they're "only cosmetic" for the sake of the outside appearence and only a narrow hall or screen stands directly behind them. I don't dislike the building, but imagine how much better it would look if some kind of design feature extended across the flat, boring parts of the building.
In other news, I think I get as much of an "Ancient Egypt" feel as art deco from this building. The huge stone blocks combined with the neoclassical columns make me think of Deir el-Bahri.
I like it, it is incredibly functional. It sounds like the architects had a solid sense of who was using the building. The judges have a private entrance, the prisoners have an underground tunnel to the courthouses, and the lawyers have pre trial meeting rooms. Considering it cost so much, there are probably a few tunnels across the street to the Diamond Cabaret, one for judges, lawyers, prisoners, and guards.
I'm not sure about the size of the courtyard. 'Activating' a courtyard for a courthouse/prison seems offensive. Can you imagine dog walkers, commuters, homeless, and tourists activating one of the largest courtyards in Denver. Can't really do ground floor retail unless you move some of the bail bond shops around the prison. Considering its in the Civic area of the city, some art and trees in the courtyard will make it inviting for jurors and pedestrians compared to most prisons. It is also has a grand, but not an elitist feel which fits with a denver civic center.
> 'Activating' a courtyard for a courthouse/prison seems offensive. Can you imagine dog walkers, commuters, homeless, and tourists…
Well, a courthouse public square may never be the heart of the city for folks like that, but it doesn't need to be wind-swept and empty, either. Ideally you design your squares to be the appropriate size for the amount of activity you expect to happen there. This one does seem much too large.
As for the architecture, the high quality materials make a huge difference.
I'm not sure if the Justice Center is good for the Golden Triangle/Civic Center or bad for it. But at least we have 2 less surface parking lots and blighted buildings. However, I doubt that this development will spur other developments around it any time soon.
I think the jail is absolutely incredible. I don't mind that it has no windows actually, windows have no place in a jail. The scale of this building is imposing, as it should be…reminds me of egyptian architecture, not seeing the art deco influence.
I walk by the buildings all the time, and with the right lighting or even in the photos on the blog, you notice the distinct and slightly different shades of stone on each building. The jail is a darker brown/tan whereas the courthouse is a lighter tan colored stone.
Those driving by might never notice, but early morning or later afternoon when the sun is less intense is a good time to appreciate the difference.
I HATE the name.
Many people will never find justice here.
It is a COURTHOUSE and a JAIL.
Let's call it that.
The "Denver Courthouse & Jail".
I voted against based upon the nomenclature and I still hate the name.
mmm yeah…i'm pretty sure the naming is based on justice for the victims, not for the criminals.
I think they are both good looking buildings.
It's still a shame that this project was unfairly taken over by Klipp Architects. Steven Holl's design is much more graceful and properly scaled than this hulking mass of stone. The angled glass facade is the only interesting part of the Justice Center, but it still looks like an afterthought and doesn't relate to anything (except for the unfortunate Hamilton wing of the Denver Art Museum).
You would think the architects would make the two buildings relate to each other. The buff colored stone just isn't enough to form a cohesive center.
I know this Justice Center is a glorified jail and courthouse, but it is located in a prominant part of the city and should look more inviting and pedestrian friendly.
Dave Barnes is right. It's a court house. The euphemisms coined by people of our time and of the recent past mask the reality behind what goes on in buildings like this one. Court house, or courthouse (which I don't like because of the "th" in the middle) is short and simple–"justice center" is overwrought, as is "heritage center" for history museum, and so on.
What the real shame is that on this great architectural forum in Denver it wasn't until the 17th comment (much less the post by Ken) that someone mentioned Steven Holl. A single schematic rendering of his design posted at the site on a 4×8 sheet of plywood would be better than these two, inelegant, brutal, scaleless slabs of stone.
Not as interesting as Steven Holl's concept but much better than I thought it would be.
Since the appearance of a courthouse typically represents the classical form of massive roman columns and white marble, I tend to think that most people are instinctively drawn to that look and are thereby disappointed when an alternative design is implemented. What I think that the majority of people do not realize is that courthouses are now designed to be both formidable in appearance and durable. Since the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Building in Oklahoma City by Timothy Mcveigh, courthouses are now designed to withstand bomb blasts and shield people from flying debris. This is a guess, but the blog editor made a comment about the space between the two buildings. I would assume that the space between both buildings was taken into consideration with regard to adding safety to the site in the event of some sort of attack. The heavy stone facade and lack of windows on the jail probably boasts the notion that the building is structurally very strong and intimidating to the Mcveigh "wannabee's" that dream of causing mayhem on government facilities. I would give a little leeway to the architects if you don't find the courthouse esthetically pleasing. In the event there is some nut that tries to attack these buildings, I think that the added strength might keep the building intact, thereby saving peoples lives. I personally would give up looks for safety.
An interesting courthouse design to research is the Central Islip Federal Courthouse in Central Islip, New York. That was one of the first new courthouse built after the Oklahoma City tragedy that implemented a design based on added safety.
http://www.emporis.com/application/?nav=building&id=134995
I like them. It's about time something got built in this town that looks like it's going to be around longer than me. People don't seem to realize it, but all the junk getting built these days is going to turn these supposedly gentrified neighborhoods into ghettos in 25 years when everything is crumbling. Just go take a look at the state of some of the buildings in Stapleton only 5 years on.
In my mind, the Hamilton building at the DAM is the perfect metaphor for modern architecture – bright & shiny on the outside, but not a straight wall to hang a painting on or even a serviceable roof to keep water out. The Justice Center's design may not attract reviews from the New York Times like the museum, but it does look like it'll keep the prisoners and judges dry when it rains and won't need a massive face-lift three years after opening. Shouldn't that be the more important goal for architects and designers anyway? Ideally, architecture should do both, but since we seem to have to choose here in Denver, I'll choose functionality and staying power.
I don't know why this hasn't been posted yet, but there are some new renderings out for the new Colorado History Museum at their facbook page at…
http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=history+colorado&init=quick#/pages/Denver-CO/History-Colorado/100175976284
There are two renderings in their photo section. Just thought you all might be interested…
http://denverjusticecenter.com/cam/
To AOW
Before you post your uninformed statements about klipp unfairly taking the job away from Steven Holl, check the facts. Holl was forced out by the city and its terrible project management company Jacobs. Klipp was paired up with Holl's office to be the architect of record on the project and to work hand in hand with Stevan Holl as the design architect.
The buildings look great and once the plaza area is complete it is going to be a nice addition to a bad neighborhood. at least its not another lovely beige tower in the golden triangle…
Speaking of "lovely" beige towers in the Golden Triangle, I notice that Beauvallon is under repair already. Good ol' Craig Nassi, how this town misses him.
Wow, what architecture! Especially those commanding doodads on the windows. Are they little tabs that close off the windows in the case of a hurricane? And I especially love the cutsy blinders that go with the doodads!
Dori,
I assume you are being sarcastic!? I agree with you if you are; what is the point of those? They take away from the windows instead of adding to them! Where is the parking? Underground I hope, although the way these look they could be the parking structures. I still think they are nicer and more cohesive than Steven Holls original design. Any idea about safety or green aspects?
It's a beauiful Complex and a very
nice addition to the location. Even though it's in the Center of Downtown, I dont feel it's right on your face.
If Im ever sent to Jail, I want to go there and enjoy the view to courtyard.
Wow. I feel the weight of the law upon my by just looking at these pictures from 1000 miles away. I hope to God they plant every single one of those trees in the rendering, for if not I will surely be smitted and cast into a firery pit of brutalist architecture.
Any new date for the attachment of the Four Seasons spire yet?
I walked by the Four Seasons today on the way back to the bus stop after class, and snapped a pic of the spire which is currently on site at the base of the tower.
Great local blog. I am thinking of moving to denver and enjoy your posts.
Yeah! The Union Station project started last Tuesday (with 2 months of utility relocation work). Did you all see the latest renderings at:
http://www.unionstationnow.com/
– Michael
While no expert, it seems to me that the first few pictures show that its style is what some refer to as neo-facist. Faceless and cold it reduces the individual to a cog in a box. It reminds me of buildings built in Germany and Italy before and during ww2. It could have been designed by Albert Speer.