Warren Burger Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse Modernization

Citation of Merit

Charged with updating a mid-century government building to suit contemporary use patterns and security requirements, the architects were careful to let the original materials and aesthetics guide their hand. Among the materials used was fritted glass whose pattern echoes the original punched window pattern; elsewhere, they reinterpreted vintage lobby and courtroom ceilings' horizontal planes of light to incorporate energy efficiency an modern controls. "It's a very handsome and very appropriate preservation of the quality of these spaces," said one judge, to which another added that "they made the right moves to modernize it but maintain a level of elegance that was in the original." The openness of the security apparatus was particularly noteworthy: Because of heightened security needs, "they have had to make a lot of the building inaccessible, yet they've been abl to gain a sense of transparency and accessibility. That's an important message."

Architect: Teng & Associates
Client: U.S. General Services Administration
Consultants: Michaud Cooley Erickson
General contractor: Ryan Companies US
Location: St. Paul, MN
Category: Institutional