St. George, Utah
This is a 95,550 sq. ft., $27 million facility designed with eight courtrooms (expandable to 16). Spectrum provided full MEP services and technology and acoustical engineering for the entire building as well as fire protection engineering for the atrium smoke exhaust system. The courthouse incorporates advanced security and technology features appropriate to current justice activities. Each courtroom is equipped for digital audio recording and video conferencing. Technological innovations streamline court proceedings and information dissemination. As evidence is admitted, it may be saved for review and/or distributed electronically, conserving paper. Technology systems and infrastructure easily and inexpensively accept upgrades and expansions. Raceways and cable pathways were planned to support changing technologies. Easy access to raceway systems enables courts officials to repurpose or reconfigure rooms without major demolition. During the project, Spectrum developed a standard for security systems for all state courts. Three distinct areas of separation with differing levels of physical and technological security were established: Custody, Judicial and Public Levels. Spectrum developed a state standard for courtroom technology also. The St. George courthouse was the first project to apply this standard.