How do you make sure a large courthouse building remains functional following a moderate earthquake?
How do you make sure a large courthouse building remains functional following a moderate earthquake?

General Services Administration (GSA) Robert F. Peckham Federal Courthouse & Office Building

The five-story courthouse and office building is part of the United States District Court’s Northern California district. It is the San Jose branch serving Santa Clara, San Benito, Santa Cruz, and Monterey Counties.
 
Customized Solution
  • This 251,000 s.f. 5-story courthouse building and 3-story office building utilized an eccentrically braced steel frame (EBF) system, an innovative design for the time, with composite steel floor framing.
  • The use of EBF’s reduced the amount of steel in the structures, saving 5% of the overall project construction cost
  • The wide column grid spacing accommodates the courtroom spaces
  • The staggered architectural link between the two buildings provides a unique sunscreen for the building and the plaza area
CATEGORIES

Justice/Civic/Governmental


HIGHLIGHTS
  • Architect: HOK
  • Owner: General Services Administration
  • Eccentrically braced steel frame (EBF) system with steel floor framing
  • Houses eight courtrooms

TEAM