NCJ Number
49070
Date Published
1975
Length
184 pages
Annotation
ARCHITECTURAL EVALUATIONS OF 116 COUNTY AND STATE COURT FACILITIES ARE GIVEN TOGETHER WITH A SUMMARY OF FEATURES TO EMULATE OR AVOID AND A DESIGN CHECKLIST FOR NEW COURT CONSTRUCTION. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE SUMMARIZED.
Abstract
THIS REPORT CONSISTS OF OVERALL FINDINGS PLUS A NUMBER OF APPENDIXES PRESENTING SPECIALIZED INFORMATION ON PARTICULAR PROBLEMS. THE GENERAL SURVEY FINDS THAT MASSACHUSETTS COURTS SHOW WIDE VARIATION IN GENERAL CONDITION. PROBLEMS ARISING FROM DESIGN ERRORS AND IMPROPER MAINTENANCE ARE CONSIDERED. FIRE HAZARDS, LIGHTING, POOR ACOUSTICS, INACCESSIBILITY TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, AND SPECIAL PROBLEMS OF ACCESSIBILITY TO THE HANDICAPPED ARE ALL DISCUSSED. THROUGHOUT THE REPORT ARE TABLES PINPOINTING SPECIFIC PROBLEMS FOR 97 OF THE MASSACHUSETTS FACILITIES EXAMINED. NOTATIONS SHOW WHICH FACILITIES ARE SHARED BY MORE THAN ONE COURT. SPECIFIC SECTIONS ANALYZE FUNCTIONAL PROBLEMS. BUILDINGS AND BUILDING SYSTEMS, ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, AND THE DESIGN AND MAINTENANCE OF THE COURTROOM ITSELF. APPENDIX 1 GIVES A COMPLETE LISTING OF ALL THE STUDY RECOMMENDATIONS. OTHER APPENDIXES DESCRIBE A NUMBER OF NEW AND REMODELED COURTHOUSES WHICH HAVE FEATURES TO BE EMULATED OR AVIODED, PRESENT A DESIGN CHECKLIST, DESCRIBE THE STUDY METHODOLOGY, LIST MASSACHUSETTS COURT FACILITIES, LIST PREVIOUSLY RELEASED FACILITIES REPORTS, LIST COURT PERSONNEL WHO PROVIDED ASSISTANCE, AND GIVE DATES OF FIELD STUDIES, THE REPORT CONCLUDES WITH AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY COVERING ACOUSTICS, COLOR, LIGHTING, AND COURT ARCHITECTURE. (GLR)