Award

M A R C H 2 0 2 5 | 67 Red Deer Justice Centre 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 by NATALIE BRUCKNER T he Red Deer Justice Centre is set to transform the judicial landscape of central Alberta, replacing the city's aging courthouse with a modern facility designed to meet the region's evolving needs. Located in the heart of down- town, the 312,000-square-foot building spans nine storeys above grade and two below, housing 12 fully built courtrooms with the flex- ibility to expand to 16 as demand grows. "This state-of-the-art court- house will increase access to justice services for residents of Red Deer and central Alberta," says Pete Guthrie, Minister of Infrastructure. Designed by Group2 Architecture Interior Design in collaboration with justice facility specialists DLR Group, the courthouse strikes a careful balance between security, accessibility, and a sense of open- ness – ensuring a welcoming yet appropriately formal environment. For Group2 principal Kari Anne Gaume, the project was uniquely significant. "The project is right next to our office building, so it was an incredible opportunity to work on a large-scale project in Red Deer, right on our doorstep." A key consideration in the design was integrating the new courthouse into its urban surroundings while respecting Red Deer's historic Parsons House, a 1903 heritage structure on the site. "We had to be very conscious of how it fits into the urban landscape and the fabric of downtown," says Craig Webber, principal at Group2. "That consideration played a signifi- cant role in our early massing studies – determining what would make sense within the context of the city." Preserving the historic house intro- duced certain constraints, but it also presented an opportunity. To honour the site's history while maximizing functionality, the design team angled the new building, creating a more dynamic relationship between old and new while enhancing the courthouse's presence in the downtown core. Clark Builders began construction in August 2020, with careful planning required to ensure the preservation of Parsons House throughout the pro- cess. "The building and Parsons House occupied the majority of the available site space, which required just-in- time delivery and the creative use of space to manage numerous deliver- ies and laydown areas for material supply," says Cameron Worthing, project executive at Clark Builders. Key factors, such as laydown areas, crane placement, and drill- ing, were carefully managed to avoid any impact on the historic struc- ture. "Additionally, multiple off-site storage locations were used to pre-fab- ricate formwork and store materials that couldn't yet be delivered to the site due to space constraints," adds Worthing. This thoughtful approach ensured that both the heritage build- ing and the new courthouse could coexist seamlessly on the site, main- taining the integrity of the location while progressing with the project. The design goal was to create a space that balances security with a welcoming atmosphere. "From a psy- chological perspective, we wanted to reduce stress for visitors and staff," explains Gaume. The extensive use of glass on the east side of the build- ing not only enhances openness but also offers calming views, contribut- ing to a more peaceful environment. "The stone cladding on the exterior façade was quarried in Europe, cut, honed, and manufactured into panels in Texas, and then transported to Red Deer for installation," adds Worthing. Inside, the layout was meticu- lously crafted to meet the building's operational needs. The ground floor houses key public-facing areas, such as the busy docket courtroom and the court operations area, while the upper floors are dedicated to courtrooms and judicial offices. A standardized tower design – featur- ing stacked jury rooms and courtroom configurations – maximizes both functionality and cost-effectiveness. The courthouse also includes dedi- cated areas for alternative dispute resolution, with suites for judicial dis- pute resolution services, family and civil mediation, and a specialized Indigenous courtroom designed to accommodate smudging ceremonies. Wayfinding was another key focus of the design, with an emphasis on clear signage to help visitors move through the courthouse with ease. Separate circulation for judicial, indi- viduals in-custody, and the public ensures both security and efficiency LOCATION 4909 48 Avenue, Red Deer, Alberta OWNER /DEVELOPER Alberta Infrastructure ARCHITECTS Group2 Architecture Interior Design / DLR Group GENER AL CONTR ACTOR Clark Builders STRUCTUR AL / BUILDING ENVELOPE CONSULTANT Entuitive MECHANICAL CONSULTANT HIDI Group ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT SMP L ANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Scatliff + Miller + Murray AUDIO VISUAL /SECURIT Y/ COMMUNICATIONS Arcadis TOTAL SIZE 312,000 square feet TOTAL COST $203 million

• Cover