With its carefully scaled massing and richly patterned cladding of spandrel and clear glass, the Durham Region Courthouse makes a significant contribution to the civic architecture of the emerging urban framework of downtown Oshawa. This award-winning building’s bold, modern vocabulary emphasizes transparency and openness, both for users and passers-by. A large outdoor public space, Courthouse Square, acts as the forecourt to the building entrance and creates opportunities for civic engagement. On courtroom floors, public waiting areas with ample daylight and views to the outside serve to relieve stress for those engaged in court proceedings.
WZMH’s design includes innovations in energy performance that will result in energy savings of 42%, in comparison with similarly-scaled buildings completed within the last ten years. The Durham Region Courthouse was the first government building in Ontario to achieve LEED Gold, Certified by the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC).
Providing badly needed space for the province´s judicial system, this six-storey structure houses 33 courtrooms, associated support space, and facilities for holding prisoners. For planning efficiency, high-use functions are located at or near ground level.
Awards:
Urban Design Award for City of Oshawa, 2012
CUI Brownie Awards, Category 3 - Financing, Risk Management and Partnerships, 2011
Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships, Innovation & Excellence in Service Delivery, Silver Award, 2011
RAIC CaGBC Green Building Award of Excellence, 2011
World Architecture Festival Shortlist Finalist, 2011
ARIDO Award of Merit, 2010
Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships, Silver Award in Infrastructure, 2010
Canadian Design-Build Institute, Award of Excellence in Community Development 2nd Place, 2010
AIA Certificate of Merit, San Francisco, 2008
Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships, Award of Merit, Project Financing, 2007
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