Conversations with the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts and changes to the US Courts Design Guideline

Abstract

The Administrative Office (AO) of the U.S. Courts oversees the design and construction of courts spaces within new federal court buildings following the U.S. Courts Design Guide. Conflicts between the U.S. Courts Design Guide and the General Services Administration (GSA) PBS P-100 are known to raise questions for designers. Conversations with Facility Program Managers and interviews with other designers and users from the AO and GSA have provided invaluable insight into their needs and challenges. These insights have been used to inform changes to the acoustical design chapter of the U.S. Courts Design Guide. This presentation will outline the insights gathered through the interviews and present the changes that are included in the updated acoustics design chapter of the U.S. Courts Design Guide.