Del Norte Courthouse

When SSA undertook the complete renovation of this county courthouse and administrative building, the imperative was to create a highly secure courthouse that could also be a part of community life. A reorganized program and enhanced view corridors, two fully redesigned courtrooms, and leading-edge security systems provide a higher level of safety for the building’s occupants.

A new glass arcade drawn deep into the building formalizes the entryway and features motifs that reference the surrounding coastal geography.  This architectural form boosts the building’s functionality by creating a buffer between the administrative areas on one side and the maximum-security courthouse and holding cells on the other.  In addition, the light-filled arcade serves as an assembly area for community functions and regularly houses exhibits.

Housed in the facility are the Superior Court and related administrative offices, County Probation Department, Grand Jury offices, four holding cells and a secure garage for transporting prisoners.