MONTEZUMA COUNTY COURTHOUSE RECOGNIZED BY THE AIA JUSTICE FACILITIES REVIEW
Roth Sheppard and Humphries Poli Wins National Justice Design Award
Denver, Colo. (June 12, 2019) – The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Justice Facilities Review (AAJ) is recognizing Roth Sheppard and Humphries Poli for their exceptional design of the Montezuma County Combined Courthouse. The JFR documents best practices in planning and design for justice architecture nationwide.
“The overall wedge-like form of the main building is symbolic of the overhanging crevice in the Mesa Verde mountainside while also referencing the simple shed-like structures found within this agricultural community,” said Brian Berryhill, a Principal at Roth Sheppard.
Completed in July of 2017, the project is a newly constructed, 33,000 sq. ft. building with a linear public corridor and an opposing linear staff corridor frame the interior providing for a clear articulation between secure and non-secure spaces. A Kiva element near the main public entry defines the entry plaza and functions as a public community room when not in use as a jury assembly room.
"Simple program and design with rich spatial elaboration within limited budget.” said the Jury, which included Frank J. Greene, FAIA (Chair), RicciGreene Associates; Tedd Howard, Tedd Howard Strategic Project Leaders, British Columbia, Canada; Mehrdad Yazdani, Assoc. AIA, Yazdani Studio of Cannon Design; Barbara Marcille, Multnomah County Circuit Court; Mark Cavagnero, FAIA, Mark Cavagnero Associates Architects; Melanie Bevan, Ed.D., Bradenton Police Department; andElizabeth McDonald, AIA, Bjarke Ingels Group.
The project will be showcased with selected imagery and narratives on AIA.org and will be displayed at various conferences, such as the National Association of Court Management conferences, and AAJ fall conference. The Justice Facilities Review awards program is administered by the Academy of Architecture for Justice, an AIA Knowledge Community.