Situated on the southwest corner of Richmond’s Capitol Square, with a clear view of the venerable 1788 Capitol Building, the new Commonwealth Courts Building is set to become a defining presence in the Commonwealth’s civic landscape.
As the Courthouse Designer, Fentress Studios collaborated with local architect Baskervill, Architect of Record, to design the 295,000 SF structure, reinterpreting contextual civic forms through a contemporary lens to create a purpose-driven home for Virginia’s Supreme Court and Court of Appeals.
The architecture of the new 14-story facility respects the scale and legacy of its surroundings, rising in stepped volumes from its public Bank Street entrance. The materials and detailing reflect the weight of its purpose – timeless, enduring and resolute. A dedicated staff entrance along Main Street will connect the site to the commercial urban downtown core. Inside, the building includes public areas, six courtrooms, law library, Judicial Learning Center, justices’ and judges’ chambers, training rooms and state law offices.
