Award of Merit, Government/Public Buildings: United States Federal Courthouse, Bakersfield
A fast-tracked design-build delivery project, the 30,000-sq-ft interpretation of the traditional courthouse on the village green features one Magistrate Court and chamber, district clerk's office, U.S. Marshals Service and U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services.
Completed in June 2012, $2.5 million under budget, the $25-million, two-story facility uses 30% less energy than comparable buildings. The courthouse is required to achieve LEED Silver Certification, but the team says it could achieve Gold as built.