Award

68 | M A R C H 2 0 2 5 P H OTO G R A P H Y BY M I C H A EL WAC H /CO U RT E S Y G RO U P 2 A RC H I T EC T U R E I N T ER I O R D E S I G N Red Deer Justice Centre while enhancing the overall visitor experience. "Ensuring the public can quickly and intuitively navigate the building was a top priority," explains Gaume. "Reducing stress in a court- house environment is crucial, and a well-thought-out layout plays a big role in achieving that," adds Webber. Security considerations shaped every aspect of the design. "Security impacted the entire flow of the build- ing," Webber explains. "For example, the movement of vehicles – every- thing from vans to buses transporting individuals in-custody – had to be carefully planned. Entry and exit protocols are strict, and even some- thing as simple as a fire alarm must be controlled to prevent unintended security breaches." For designers, the goal was to create a secure space with- out it feeling overtly intimidating. As construction progressed, the design had to adapt to the rapid evo- lution of digital court technologies, a shift accelerated by the 2020 pan- demic. "When we originally designed the building, full digital integra- tion for court proceedings seemed like something that was still 10 to 15 years away," Webber said. "Then COVID changed everything. While the building was under construc- tion, we had to incorporate digital solutions that are now fully inte- grated into court operations." Gaume echoed this: "The transition was rapid, and we had to ensure the building met the new realities of judi- cial proceedings and services." Sustainability was a key consid- eration throughout the design, with the building achieving Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification. Emphasizing energy efficiency and durability, the design ensures the facility will serve as a cost-effec- tive public asset for years to come. Reflecting on the project, Gaume pointed to the collaborative nature of the process as a key success factor. "I think we were able to adapt so efficiently because of the highly col- laborative nature of the project. Our consultant team had already been working closely together in per- son, which made transitioning to virtual collaboration during the pan- demic much smoother." Webber agrees, adding, "While the tim- ing of incorporating digital court operations presented challenges, its integration increased the function- ality of court proceedings beyond what was originally envisioned." With construction now com- plete, Alberta Infrastructure has officially handed the building over to Alberta Justice, which will make final preparations for opera- tions before the facility opens to the public on March 3, 2025. "The Red Deer Justice Centre rep- resents a significant step forward in improving access to justice for all Albertans, especially those in rural communities," says Mickey Amery, Minister of Justice and Attorney General. "This state-of-the-art facility will ensure that residents of cen- tral Alberta have the resources they need to navigate the justice system with more ease and efficiency." A Ph: 780-454-8817 www.kamwin.ca Congratulations to Alexander First Nation, Reimagine Architecture and Jen-Col Construction on the successful completion of Alexander First Nation Kipohtakaw Education Centre. WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE BEEN PART OF THE TEAM! Kamwin Electric.indd 1 Kamwin Electric.indd 1 2024-11-11 10:19 AM 2024-11-11 10:19 AM

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