Fans of Law and Order might recognize this iconic place. The Thurgood Marshall U.S. Courthouse stands before us. It is a fitting backdrop for the pursuit of justice.
This building is more than just a pretty facade. It plays a vital role in the federal judicial system. It houses the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Originally known as the Foley Square Courthouse, Congress renamed it in 2001. It honored U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. Marshall worked here as a Second Circuit judge before his Supreme Court appointment. He served on the higher court from 1967 to 1991.
The courthouse suffered from decades of neglect. Insensitive modifications took their toll. But in 2013, it emerged from a massive five-year renovation. The project cost 314 million dollars.
Before the renovation, the courthouse was in rough shape. Granite pieces were cracked. Mortar joints had failed. Water penetration was a problem. Terra-cotta roof tiles were loose. Grime covered the walls inside. This was from the days when smoking was allowed. Sumptuous finishes were damaged. Offices cluttered the corridors. Security equipment was haphazard.
The renovation aimed for clarification. This meant reversing modifications. These modifications interfered with the original architecture.
Contractors cleaned the granite facade. They replaced cracked panels. The campanile’s terra-cotta roof was repaired. The lantern at the top was dismantled and reassembled. Deteriorating steel was repaired. Offices were removed from corridors. Damaged finishes were cleaned and restored. Security screening moved to a room off the lobby. A proper service area was created from the old prisoner’s entrance.
The project also addressed problems with life safety and comfort. There were no sprinklers in key spaces. Lighting was dim. The cooling system relied on noisy window air conditioners. Raindrops pelting the air conditioners sometimes stopped court proceedings.
The renovation included new infrastructure. This satisfied the requirements of the General Services Administration. The project achieved LEED certification. It did this without harming the historic fabric.
Designers reconfigured elevators to create space for mechanical systems. Air-handling units were placed on the top floor. Conduits and pipes were hidden.
The library had plaster beams painted to look like wood. Designers supplied conditioned air through the floor. Sprinklers were hidden in a mezzanine.
New lighting makes the building bright and welcoming. Lighting designers refurbished historic pendants. They increased the number of fixtures. They used compact fluorescents behind frosted glass.
Designers initially planned to light the entire tower. They scaled back the scheme. They chose to accentuate the top. High-pressure sodium floodlights wash the crown. Metal halide lamps illuminate the facade below.
The renovation saves energy and water. The courthouse has a green roof. This retains stormwater. Low-flow plumbing fixtures are installed. A rainwater-retention tank collects water. This water is used in the cooling tower.
Most people will not notice the energy and water savings. But they can appreciate Gilbert’s architecture. It has been successfully revived. The Thurgood Marshall U.S. Courthouse stands as a symbol of justice. It is ready for generations to come.