Architecture | Interior Design
Lawrence Township, NJ
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Highlights
• New facility for Courts and Police
• 125 seat courtroom
• Police detention facilit
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The former Police and Court Facilities for the Township of Lawrence had become crowded and outdated. Clarke Caton Hintz was retained to design a new building, including the interior, on the same site that would more efficiently accommodate an expanding police force and increasing case load.
The building program was divided into four basic parts: Public Lobby, Courts, Police, and Detention. A courtroom with a capacity of 125 persons is located to one end of a large public Lobby with Court support functions adjoining the lobby by way of walk-up windows. Police functions requiring public interaction were located on the opposite end of the Lobby. Police Administration and Detention areas were located furthest away from the public lobby in order to provide secure entry for officers and prisoners.
While the single-story plan with a basement was the most logical way to fit all program requirements onto a small site, it presented some challenging design considerations with respect to the exterior of the building. The use of gabled roofs increased the overall height of the building while creating a more comfortable scale. Furthermore, traditional forms and materials were carefully chosen to relate to the existing building in the area.
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Awards
• International Masonry Institute, Golden Trowel Award, Special Recognition category, 2003
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