Burlington County Administration Building, Third and Fourth Floor Courts Renovations

Third Floor Renovations
VITETTA was commissioned by Burlington County to provide design and construction administration services for the redesign/renovation, infrastructure modification and general facelift for the 11,000 SF 3rd Floor West wing of the fifty-year-old county administration building. A significant percentage of the existing courtrooms and their supporting functions have reached the end of their useful life. The entire wing is in need of an upgrade due to age and wear. In addition the county desires that all of the courtrooms, chambers and their backup functions be brought up to the level of finish and function they have established in their recently completed renovation to the county’s dedicated courts building.

Existing conditions to be addressed include accessibility issues as well as wire management for the explosion of electronics connections needed to operate a 21st century courtroom. These are presently cascading over casework and desks as well as streaming along floors. The court regards this situation as both unsightly and hazardous. The project scope includes plan modification and gut replacement of the judge’s chambers and secretarial support spaces, including the creation of dedicated ANSI 117 compliant toilet rooms for the judge. Accessibility issues for the judge, jurors and witnesses are also included. Work also includes forensic investigation of and repair to the chronically leaking roof found above the 3rd floor. It also addresses the upgrade of and replacement of finishes, creation of out of sight dedicated wire management system, replacement of benches and focal casework, and replacement of public seating. Mechanical upgrades include the replacement/modification to the antiquated mechanical systems and controls. The mechanical upgrades manage to utilize a significant portion of the existing ductwork, thereby lessening the impact on the existing fabric as well as the impact of the construction on both courts and administrative functions. Security, telecommunications and linkages for audiovisual infrastructure are also included.

Fourth Floor Renovations
VITETTA was commissioned by Burlington County to design the renovation of the entire 16,760 square foot Fourth Floor of the 25-year old Courthouse to accommodate four new Courtrooms, five Judges’ Chambers suites, and three Jury Deliberation Rooms. A portion of the existing Mediation Area remains and was also refurbished. This work was a complete gut and rebuild project replacing the office space formerly housed on that floor. Two Courtrooms serving criminal trials are placed adjacent to the only existing prisoner elevator accompanied by a single secure Holding Area serving the pair of Courtrooms. The other pair of Courtrooms, remote from the secure prisoner circulation, accommodates civil proceedings only. All Courtrooms are accessed from the public lobby through sound-lock vestibules that also have access to Attorney-Client Conference Rooms and/or Witness Waiting spaces.  The design developed by VITETTA responded to the County’s desire to accommodate five Judges in lieu of four as existing on other Courtroom floors. These Chambers are arranged at the building perimeter served by a private corridor connecting all Courtrooms, Judges’ private elevator, and separate judicial entrances to the Courtrooms.  VITETTA redesigned the 4th Floor Lobby to accommodate public waiting and a Security Desk.  The detailing of finishes and millwork provides removable panels to accommodate installation of future electronic presentation and recording media.