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North Dade Justice Facility


Miami, Florida


Architect
Arquitectonica International
Corporation
Coral Gables, Florida

Consulting Engineers
Lagomasino & Vitale
Associates
Robert H. Tanner
Post, Buckley, Schuh &
Jemigan

Special Judiciary
Architectural and
Program Consultant
Walter H. Sobel, FAIA &
Associates

Landscape Architect
Ted Baker Group

Owner
Metropolitan Dade County
G.S.A.


 This two-story building is
sited and shaped to respond to
major site influences. Toward
the vehicular artery, the con-
vex shape of the main volume
of the building acts as a monu-
mental object seen by passing
traffic. The same volume of
building is concave toward the
lake, defining and enclosing a
quiet, pedestrian-oriented en-
vironment. A linear pedes-
trian plaza passing under the
suspended upper volume links
a bus stop with an outlook in
the lake, thus uniting the two
areas.
 The 39,000 square foot
building is designed as three
separate volumes, each with
its own function, facade, treat-
ment and shape. Downstairs a
rectangular green stucco and
black tile wall encloses a pro-
tected parking area. The en-
trance lobby is contained within
a curved volume of vertical


panels of pink marble and green
glass. Upstairs, the court-
rooms, judges' chambers and
ancillary facilities are arranged
linearly to accommodate ex-
pansion within a volume clad
in a curtain wall of white span-
drel glass and silver reflective
glass. The yellow tile-clad cler-
estories on the roof assure natu-
ral daylight in all courtrooms
and jury deliberation rooms.


Jury: "A dynamic shape, bold
in form and plan, but restrained
in elevation. The curved shape
responds to various angles of
the sun. The language of this
building is so individualized
that it is hard to critique be-
yond the fact that it makes such
a strong statement on the land-
scape."


FLORIDA ARCHITECT September/October 1989