Issues and opportunities during construction of a new courthouse building

Abstract

A new courthouse building was recently completed, housing 31 courtrooms and the full complement of ancillary spaces, and using a delivery system called performance-based infrastructure (PBI) that enhanced the need for high durability and long-term functionality, as well as a fast-paced schedule. An interesting issue arose concerning unexpectedly loud levels of toilet flush noise in a public restroom adjacent to a judge's chamber, whose resolution resulted in 20 dBA reduction at the source without need for reconstructed partitions in over a dozen similar adjacencies. An interesting opportunity arose when on opening day it was determined that a cueing room was noisy, and one of the architects emailed audio files of balloon pops recorded on his cell phone, in a manner that simulated measurements that he had witnessed several times before, and which confirmed our calculations sufficiently to engender agreement on treatment without need for additional site visits. These and perhaps other issues and opportunities will be discussed.