City Leaders Pick Architects for $378M Justice Center Project

"We are optimistic that we can rapidly conclude negotiations and move forward in building a justice center whose world-class design merits its place in the civic center and reflects the importance of justice and safety in our community," the mayor says. "We are inspired by the caliber of signature architects who competed for this opportunity and we are understandably excited about the selected firms."

Steven Holl Architects will design the courthouse. Founded in 1976, the firm has been recognized nationally and internationally. In 2001, Time magazine named Holl, a tenured professor at Columbia University in New York City, as America's best architect for "buildings that satisfy the spirit as well as the eye." The Smithsonian Institute, with the 2002 Cooper Hewitt National Design Award in Architecture, also honored Holl.

In Denver, Holl designed 16 Market Square for Continuum Partner. The design team includes locally based Klipp Architecture Planning Interiors and Ricci Greene Associates of New York City.

Hartman-Cox, the architect for the jail, was established in 1965. It has won more than 110 design awards, including six American Institute of Architects honors and the American Institute of Architects Firm Award, the highest honor the AIA bestows on a firm for design. Its projects have included Pratt Institute, Higgins Hall Center Section in Brooklyn, NY and the Museum of Contemporary Art-Kiasma--in Helsinki, Finland. The Hartman-Cox team included locally based Oz Architecture, the Boulder-headquartered Voorhis Robertson Justice Services and Ricci Greene Associates.

Meanwhile, city officials are negotiating with Jacobs Facilities Inc. to provide project management services for building the justice center. Jacobs will be responsible for all aspects of project management including design and construction compatibility, estimating and scheduling and budget oversight. The city also is negotiating with AR7 HooverDesmondArchitects to design the new post office and parking garage. Officials are optimistic that a contract will be signed before the year ends.