The Tarrant County Family Law Center is a 265,000 square-foot, five-story facility that encompasses two city blocks located in the heart of downtown Fort Worth, sited adjacent to the County’s existing historic courthouse, which was built in 1895.  The new courthouse houses Tarrant County’s family law courts, including 16 District and Associate Family Courtrooms and the associated individual judicial chambers and offices.

The design purposefully addresses the character of the Old Courthouse, and is intended to create precedent for future development around and within the County’s courthouse “campus”.  However, the historically- suggestive design still provides for the modern needs of a judicial facility.  The new building is physically secure while allowing public access and it also provides office and meeting spaces for the court’s day-to-day activities.

The design emphasizes natural light in the main public spaces and courtrooms.  Windows make the building seem less confining to visitors by allowing a view to the outdoors, and the natural light penetrating the interior has a refreshing, comforting effect. The light-filled open spaces specifically address the stressful environment of court proceedings by easing anxiety and promoting an innocuous, embracing atmosphere.  Despite this, there is never doubt about the building’s purpose – it maintains authority and seriousness appropriate to a legal institution and respects the gravity of the issues being addressed.