United States Courthouse
Fresno, Calif.
Gruen Associates with Moore Ruble Yudell
Textured concrete panels soften
this courthouse's towering mass
Serving the Eastern District of California, this new
U.S. courthouse rises 226 feet high—though it contains
just nine levels above grade—making it the tallest
building in Fresno, Calif. The architects articulated
and lightened its imposing size by dividing it into
two volumes that form an L-shape. At the intersection
of these masses, a series of sloping roofs—dubbed
"shoulders"—lead to an apex volume wrapped
in a loggia. This public space provides sweeping views
over the city's green suburbs, the tree plantations
of California's San Joaquin Valley, and the snow-capped
peaks of the nearby Sierra Nevada mountains.
The building's skin of textured precast concrete panels
forms its signature element. The architects intended
the variation of surface patterns to suggest the region's
rugged landscape, particularly the faces of the mountains
rising to the east. Moreover, the faceted nature of
the 1,260 individual concrete panels helps mediate the
massive scale of this large building's wall surfaces.
The panels are more than just detailing: they meet the
government's blast-resistance criteria, provide acoustical
insulation, and ensure durability of the building envelope.
At grade level, a garden titled "Once Upon a Time"
provides a new public space for the city. Created in
a collaboration between the architects and local artists,
its design reflects landscape qualities as varied as
the region's mountain streams, oak-dotted foothills,
and sweeping agricultural plains—a celebration
of the natural history of the region this courthouse
serves. Glass curtainwalls surround the building's lobby,
creating a porch-like effect that allows views of the
garden.
Formal name of project:
United States Courthouse
Location:
Fresno, Calif.
Gross
square footage:
428,000 sq. ft.
Total
Construction Cost:
$107 million
Owner:
U.S. General Services Administration
Architect:
Gruen Associates
6330 San Vicente Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90048
323-937-4270 tel.
323-937-6001 fax
www.gruenassociates.com
Moore Ruble Yudell Architects &
Planners
933 Pico Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90405
310-450-1400 tel.
310-450-1403 fax
www.moorerubleyudell.com
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