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Wayne L. Morse Federal Courthouse

Eugene, Oregon

Much has been made of the collaborative process that melded the strong and differing viewpoints of the architect and the client for design of the new $92 million Federal Courthouse in Eugene, Oregon.  The client's viewpoint came from a desire for architecture that expressed the court system as a bedrock of society in a traditional sense, and the architect from the viewpoint that the expression of the architecture should show transparency and availability of the courts system to one and all.  As a result, elements of both have been woven together in a meaningful way.

Responding to these cues, HLB's mission was to articulate the vibrancy of the 270,000 square foot courthouse with both traditional and progressive gestures.  Within the sinuous circulation space, complex architectural volumes wrap the courtrooms and washes of lighting follow these sculptural curves with backlit artwork and simple rhythms.  Stepping into the courtroom, the solution is more unexpected and stemmed from a desire to respond to the form of the innovate architecture.  The curving wood walls and ceiling are illluminated utilizing fluorescent luminaires located within the fin-like architectural form.  Supplemental lighting was added at the bench and juror areas.  Care was taken to ensure all lighting was readily accessible for maintenance.  HLB's collaboration with Morphosis included six federal courtrooms with judges' chambers, support offices, circulation, lobby, jury assembly areas, and a cafeteria.

This project has received the U.S. Green Building Council's Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, and has been the recipient of the GSA Design Award for outstanding public architecture.