<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none;" alt="" src="https://dc.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=178113&amp;fmt=gif">

Courthouse Planning

Deep Court Expertise. Practical Planning Solutions.

Fentress brings decades of courthouse planning experience to courts nationwide and internationally. Our deep understanding of court operations, design standards, and planning best practices helps courts address complex space and security challenges while maximizing long-term facility value.

Our needs assessments evaluate how well existing courthouses support court operations and accommodate future demands. We translate those findings into practical recommendations that improve functionality, strengthen security, and provide flexibility as needs change.

By combining evidence-based analysis with insight into the daily work of courts, we help create spaces that serve judges, staff, attorneys, jurors, and the public—and support the effective delivery of justice.

Refined Courtroom with Clerestory Light Refined Courtroom with Clerestory Light Refined Courtroom with Clerestory Light

Our Approach to Courthouse Planning

Fentress helps courts plan efficient, secure, and adaptable courthouses through comprehensive needs assessments, space programming, and strategic improvement plans. We also serve as specialized court planning consultants to architectural firms, bringing operational insight and planning expertise to strengthen designs and help teams win courthouse projects.

Build a clear picture of current and future courthouse needs by analyzing demographic, economic, and caseload trends that shape court workload and staffing. Assess the courthouse’s functionality, security, and physical condition to identify deficiencies and opportunities for improvement.

How We Deliver Results

Courthouse Operations and Real-Time Evaluation (CORE)

CORE uses objective metrics to score courthouse performance across space standards, functionality, security, building condition, and technology. It identifies deficiencies and provides a consistent basis for comparing improvement alternatives, helping courts prioritize investments that deliver the greatest benefit.

Integrated Design Evaluation and Learning (IDEAL)

Developed to support Fentress’s role as an owner’s representative, IDEAL objectively evaluates designs submitted by competing architectural firms against the program of requirements and project goals, helping owners select the design that best meets court needs.

Core and ideal courthouse design review

The Fentress Advantage

account_balance

Bring deep knowledge of courthouse design standards and proven best practices. 

Strengthen security, improve the public experience, and enhance court operations. 

 Use a data-driven approach to establish needs and justify funding requests. 

Courthouse Needs Assessment Guide

Discover our comprehensive playbook for conducting a successful courthouse needs assessment, from identifying space needs to
determining the most viable strategy.

Courthouse Atrium, Sweeping Staircase and Security Screening Courthouse Atrium, Sweeping Staircase and Security Screening Courthouse Atrium, Sweeping Staircase and Security Screening

Project Spotlight