So stated U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny last August, adding, "It's going to be a building that people in Buffalo can be proud of..."
The largest project in Western New York State, a $137M investment, the Courthouse, with its 10 courtrooms, was designed to achieve LEED Gold Certification. Semi-elliptical in shape, the building will be clad in curtain wall and present a stunning image of light and grace.
Project architect Bill Pederson of KPF drew inspiration from Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral in Florence, Italy whose dome, baptistery and bell tower create a true urban gathering and symbolize a dialogue of community. The courthouse is designed as an analogy to that jewel of the Renaissance.
An ambitious project and well-matched to the talents of the Ébénisterie Beaubois team who are handling all the architectural woodwork for this new monument to the justice system. The firm will completely furnish all the court rooms, paying special attention to the blast-proof judges' desks which will have a metal frame to provide greater resistance. The elliptical reception desk, the masterpiece of the project, will support curved glass elements.
Beaubois will be found in all sectors of the establishment. The decor of the lobbies on each floor and the reception areas will be enhanced by wall panels as will the judges' chambers where libraries will add an additional note of elegance. Other architectural woodwork elements include columns, door frames and courtroom doors that will discretely fade into the adjoining walls, thanks to the veneering artistry of the Beaubois team.
The firm's portfolio already contains several courthouse projects in New York State - the Bronx County Hall of Justice, the US Courthouse in Islip and 330 Jay Street in Brooklyn as well as the Staten Island Courthouse, currently under construction.
Ébénisterie Beaubois Ltée