Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program Program.pdf · Judge Veronica E. Henry...
Transcript of Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program Program.pdf · Judge Veronica E. Henry...
Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
FINAL REPORT
July 2013
National Center for State Courts
Chang-Ming Yeh, Principal Court Facility Planner
Nathan Hall, Staff Architect
David Sayles, Project Analyst
Daniel J. Hall, Vice President
Court Consulting Services 707 Seventeenth Street, Suite 2900
Denver, Colorado 80202
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The project team wished to express its sincere
gratitude to the following people who have invested their time
and efforts in this report. In addition we wish to extend our
appreciation to the countless individual
THE CDC BUILDING COMMITTEE
Judge Michael G. Bagneris, Chair
Judge Kern A. Reese
Traci Diaz, Judicial Administrator
THE CDC JUDGES
Judge Tiffany G. Chase – Division “A”
Judge Regina H. Bartholomew – Division “B”
Judge Sidney H. Cates IV – Division “C”
Judge Lloyd J. Medley – Division “D”
Judge Clare Jupiter – Division “E”
Judge Christopher J. Bruno – Division “F”
Judge Robin M. Giarrusso – Division “G”
Judge Michael G. Bagneris – Division “H”
Judge Piper D. Griffin, Chief Judge – Division “I”
Judge Paula A. Brown – Division “J”
Judge Bernadette D'Souza – Division “K”
Judge Kern A. Reese – Division “L”
Judge Paulette R. Irons – Division “M”
Judge Ethel S. Julien – Division “N”
THE FIRST CITY COURT JUDGES
Judge Monique G. Morial – Section “A”
Judge Angelique A. Reed – Section “B”
Judge Veronica E. Henry – Section “C”
Dale Atkins, Clerk of the Court, CDC
Chelsea R. Napoleon, CDC Chief Deputy Clerk
Ellen Hazeur, Clerk of the First City Court
Lambert C. Boissiere, Jr., Constable First City Court
Kristi August, Constable Operations Manager
Marlin N. Gusman, Orleans Parish Sheriff
Peter C. Rizzo, Chief Civil Deputy Sheriff
Peter Haas, Chief Information Officer
James W. Baker III, Project Manager
CONTENTS
Executive Summary ............................................................... i
I. Project Overview ............................................................ 1
II. Key Planning Considerations ......................................... 2
III. Building Design Concepts and Objectives...................... 4
IV. Staffing Summary .......................................................... 9
V. Building Space Program .............................................. 10
Departmental Space Listings ................................... 11
VI. Court Facility Concept Alternatives .............................. 31
Court Facility Concept Alternative One .................... 32
Alternative One – Concept Highlights ...................... 38
Court Facility Concept Alternative Two .................... 40
Alternative Two – Concept Highlights ...................... 47
Appendices ......................................................................... 48
Civil District Court – Existing Courthouse Occupancy
Summary and Space Utilization Diagrams............... 49
Existing Civil District Court Assigned Parking
Available On-Site ..................................................... 54
Civil District Court Clerk’s Office Ten Year Court Case
Records Storage Requirement ................................ 55
CDC Clerk Existing Records Inventory – Amoco
Building ................................................................... 56
First City Court Clerk’s Office Court Case Records
Storage Requirements............................................. 72
Sample Courtroom Layout Concepts ....................... 74
Sample Courtroom Technology Equipment Layout
Concepts ................................................................. 77
Technology Equipment Definitions .......................... 80
Courtroom Technology Equipment Summary .......... 84
Excerpts from the Plan for the 21st Century: New
Orleans 2030 ........................................................... 87
Historic Case Filings for the Civil District Court ........ 93
Historic Case Filings for the First City Court ............ 95
Glossary of Common Planning Terms ..................... 97
ES i | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In an attempt to resolve long-standing space issues, the
Orleans Parish Civil District Court retained the assistance of
the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) to develop an
architectural design program for a new court facility. There are
four primary goals of this document.
PROJECT GOALS:
1. To determine the planning goals and criteria for the
various components and occupants of the courthouse
to inform the development of a new courthouse.
2. To identify the space requirements for a new court
facility that will allow effective and safe operations now
and in the future.
3. To determine the scope of the building project in terms
of total square footage to form the basis for courthouse
funding implementation.
4. To identify conceptual building massing alternatives
and potential site impacts given the proposed use and
unique building needs of the various courthouse
occupants.
CIVIL DISTRICT COURTHOUSE PLANNING CRITERIA
Over the course of the project a series of planning
considerations evolved which ultimately informed the
determination of space needs and conceptual building
massing alternatives.
Key Planning Criteria
1. Long-term growth capacity:
The space needs for all agencies and departments
located within the building will be based on current
staffing levels.
2. Courtroom/Chambers Relationship:
The arrangement of courtroom and chambers will be
determined based on a ratio of one chamber for every
one courtroom. In addition, the ration between jury
deliberation suites and jury trial courtrooms will be less
than 1:1. This reflects a declining trend of jury trials
observed in Orleans Parish and across the nation.
3. Courtroom Concepts:
The planning of courtrooms should be determined
using a unified space standard which may flexibly
accommodate a large number of proceeding types.
4. Future Technology Impacts:
The planning of the courthouse should account for
existing work processes and records management
systems that are currently in place while also making
provision for a future electronic environment.
5. Courthouse Circulation and Security:
Two distinct zones of circulation the public and staff
should be provided in order enhance security and to
limit unwanted contact between staff and public visitors
6. Central Business District (CBD) Site
Considerations:
Planning for the courthouse should respond to the
urban environment and context of the CBD where the
new facility will be located.
ES ii | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
BUILDING OCCUPANCY
The table below describes the planned departments and
personnel occupancy of the new Civil District Courthouse.
The number of occupants determined for each department
was determined using the following information:
The City of New Orleans Master Plan (Plan for the 21st
Century - New Orleans 20301)
Historic case filing data
State of Louisiana judicial staffing patterns
(comparative analysis with Orleans Parish)
Input from facility user group interviews
Department Current
FTE
Civil District Court
Judges 14
Judge Support Staff 14
Clerk of Civil District Court 152
First City Court
Judges 3
Judge Support Staff 3
Clerk of First City Court 17
Sheriff's Office Civil Division 85
Constable 15
Judicial Administration - JEF 17
Total 320 FTE
1 City Master Plan can be accessed online at:
http://www.rncdc.com/New%20Orleans%20Plan%20for%20the%2021%20Century.pdf
COURTROOM AND CHAMBERS PROVIDED
The proposed court building will include fifteen (15) Civil
District Court courtrooms and judge’s chambers and three (3)
First City Court courtrooms and judge’s chambers. With the
exception of two, larger complex litigation courtrooms, all
courtrooms in the facility are planned at the same size for
maximum flexibility into the future. The programmed number of
courtrooms and judge’s chambers will adequately meet the
needs of the Court into year 2030.
Civil District Court and First City Court Courtroom and Chambers Summary
Civil District Court
Standard Courtroom 10 1,700 SF ea.
Domestic Court Courtroom 3 1,700 SF ea.
Complex Litigation Courtroom 2 2,000 SF ea.
Civil District Court Judge’s Office 15 280 SF ea.
First City Court
Standard Courtroom 3 1,700 SF ea.
First City Court Judge’s Office 3 280 SF ea.
ES iii | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
SPACE PROGRAM
Space requirements were developed based upon functional
needs, national planning standards, and precedents in civil
court operations and design. The square footage estimated for
the courthouse structure to accommodate all departments is
218,896 Building Gross Square Feet (BGSF). In addition, a
separate but attached building containing ground floor retail
and three levels of structured parking is proposed to be built
as a part of the overall complex.
New Orleans Civil District Court Area Summary
Public Lobby and Support Areas
7,020 DGSF
Building Support Spaces
8,425 DGSF
Civil District Court
61,510 DGSF
First City Court
15,581 DGSF
Shared Judicial
2,015 DGSF
Holding
702 DGSF
Sheriff's Office Civil Division
7,521 DGSF
Constable
2,369 DGSF
Judicial Administration - JEF
5,938 DGSF
Information Technology
2,774 DGSF
Clerk of Civil District Court
61,263 DGSF
Total Departmental Gross Square Feet 175,117 DGSF
Grossing Factor @ 25% 43,779 SF
Total Courthouse Structure Gross Square Feet 218,896 BGSF
Other Construction
75,000 BGSF
Ground Floor Shelled Retail 20,000 BGSF
Parking Garage (3 levels, 150 cars) 55,000 BGSF
Total BGSF with Retail and Garage 293,896 BGSF
ES iv | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
CONCEPTUAL MASSING ALTERNATIVES SUMMARY
Two conceptual massing alternatives were developed based
on the building program and potential site impacts identified.
Detailed descriptions and illustrations are provided in Section
VI.
Alternative 1 8 story court tower (floors 1 - 4 have an enlarged building
footprint)
Linear court floor configuration
Ground floor retail on site
Three level structured parking garage on site with 150 spaces
Site requirement: 310’ x 330 ‘
Alternative 2 9 story court tower (floors 1 - 2 have an enlarged building
footprint)
Double loaded corridor with quad-courtroom configuration
Ground floor retail on site
Three level structured parking garage on site with 150 spaces
Site requirement: 265’ x 335 ‘
1 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
I. PROJECT OVERVIEW
The decision to invest and plan for future court facilities
necessarily involves the needs to determine the optimal size,
design, and location that will serve the building occupants well into
the future. These considerations will clearly be affected by the
number of individuals expected to use the courthouse, the various
types of court services to be provided, and the anticipated future
caseload growth.
The development of this report was based on extensive data
collection and analysis of various information sources including
City of New Orleans demographic data and growth projections,
historic CDC case filings and workload information, building
occupant staffing levels, court processes and user group
operational procedures, and existing building occupant space
utilization.
As part of the data collection process, extensive interviews were
conducted with various CDC courthouse occupants to gain a
better understanding of the user work functions and needs, to
document interactions with various justice partners, and to
exchange ideas about the future work environment. Interviewees
included representatives from the following Court departments
and justice agencies:
Civil District Court Judges
CDC Clerk of the Court
Orleans Parish Sheriff Department Civil Division
First City Court Judges
First City Court Clerk
First City Court Constable
Judicial Expense Fund
Information Technology
Court system growth, staffing, operational consideration,
functional needs, accepted court facility planning standards, and
experience in developing criteria for similar court facilities formed
a comprehensive basis for development of future space
requirements, expressed in terms of square footage needs.
Future facilities planning alternatives were developed based upon
anticipated court system growth expectations, operational
considerations, functional space needs, as well as accepted
courthouse planning standards and precedents seen around the
county in similar jurisdiction trial court operations and courthouse
designs. In the meantime, the project team assessed the existing
physical building infrastructure, the surrounding site, and overall
New Orleans urban planning context as a basis for understanding
development opportunities and challenges for future Civil District
Court facilities. A set of planning considerations and goals were
established with the functional space requirements that were
developed.
2 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
II. KEY PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS Over the course of the project a series of planning considerations
evolved which ultimately informed the determination of space
needs and conceptual building massing alternatives.
Key Planning Considerations
I. Long-term growth capacity:
The Courthouse occupants are capable to meet future
service demands with the aide of more effective and
efficient work environment and extensive use of new
technologies. The new civil district court facility is
programmed based on the occupancy of current
staffing levels. The demographic profile and population
of Orleans Parish and the changes observed in the 20th
century and the early years of the past decade were
consistent with changes observed in many matured urban
communities in the country until the catastrophe of
Hurricane Katrina in year 2005. The Parish has since
regained some of the population lost. Population recovery
since Hurricane Katrina has exceeded initial expectations
and is likely to continue at a more moderate pace.
According to the “Plan for the 21st Century: New Orleans
2030” through the first eight months of 2008 the city
recovered 2,450 residents per month. In the years prior to
Hurricane Katrina, the Orleans Parish population held
steady at just under 500,000 residents (496,938 in 1990;
494,294 in 2005). The master plan indicates that the city’s
population may once again reach as high as 502,651 by
year 2030.
The levels of public demands for services of the courts and
various row offices in the facility would be in sync with the
gradual recovery of the Parish and eventual rebound to the
pre-Katrina level by year 2030. Based on the data
collected and feedback from the various user groups, it is
anticipated that existing staffing levels will remain sufficient
in terms of being able to process anticipated growth for the
foreseeable future. As the city continues to regenerate and
grow following the Katrina Hurricane.
II. Courtroom/Chambers Relationship:
The arrangement of courtroom and chambers will be
determined based on a ratio of one chamber for every
one courtroom. This arrangement will be expressed
architecturally through a design in which each courtroom is
supported by an adjacent judge chamber and support staff
area. In addition, the ration between jury deliberation
suites and jury trial courtrooms will be less than 1:1. This
reflects a declining trend of jury trials observed in Orleans
Parish and across the nation. For detailed historic jury trial
statistics please refer to court case filing data presented in
the appendices.
III. Courtroom Concepts:
The planning of courtrooms should be determined
using a unified space standard which may flexibly
accommodate a large number of proceeding types.
Over time, specific usage patterns may vary; therefore, all
courtrooms and ancillary spaces should have the ability to
accommodate a broad range growth or policy changes in
order to enhance the facility’s flexibility and long-term
usefulness. For example, the overall size and proportion
3 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
should allow for interior configuration differences as
practical, such as placement of a jury box or alternative
arrangement of spectator seating.
IV. Future Technology Impacts on Record Management
Systems:
The planning of the courthouse should account for
existing work processes and records management
systems that are currently in place while also making
provision for a future electronic environment. An
electronic records environment has the potential to
eventually greatly reduce or eliminate the transfer of paper
throughout the courthouse as well as reduce the need for
long term records storage space. As technology systems
improve and workload continues to grow in the future,
workflow practices may become increasingly more
efficient. At the same time, space which is currently
planned for accommodating records storage needs may be
transformed and utilized for yet to be determined purposes
and user group needs.
V. Courthouse Circulation and Security:
Two distinct zones of circulation should be provided in
order enhance security and to limit unwanted contact
between staff and public visitors. In addition, a limited
in custody area should also be planned to provide safe and
secure accommodations for infrequent use by in-custody
court participants or persons who are remanded into
custody.
VI. Central Business District (CBD) Site Considerations:
Planning for the courthouse should respond to the
urban environment and context of the CBD.
Considerations should include planning for potential retail
activity and a limited amount of structured parking for
elected officials, judges, senior staff, and the public.
Construction of any parking/retail facilities should be
contained in an adjacent yet separate building structure to
ensure that proper separation and access control can be
maintained at the courthouse.
4 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
III. BUILDING DESIGN CONCEPTS AND
OBJECTIVES The design goals of this program are to promote
development of a future court facility that is user-friendly, safe,
and efficient. Additionally, the design should convey a proper
decorum and respect for the law and should flexibly arranged so
as to accommodate future growth and operational changes. The
following principles serve as a guide for developing the space
program and design throughout the project.
Design Intent and Image
The architecture throughout the interior and exterior of all
court facilities should convey the importance of the judicial
system in the community as well as the significance and
solidity of the Rule of Law.
The appearance and ambiance of the courtrooms should
be dignified and business-like. Consideration should be
given to proper sight lines, acoustics, lighting, properly
functioning heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning
systems.
The selection of finishes should be made with a view to the
future. The materials selected should be functional and
durable for use over time and should contribute to the
overall image of dignity and institutional permanence.
The architecture should represent an expression that is
responsive to local context, geography, climate, culture,
and history, and should improve and enrich the site and
community in which the facility is located.
The public lobby should be a focal point for the entire
building and convey a sense of civic pride expressing the
community’s values of justice, integrity, and fairness.
Functional Expression
The architecture should represent careful thought and
consideration of operational and spatial needs. The spaces
should promote efficiencies with consideration to workflow,
adjacencies, and proper zoning of functions.
The architecture should promote streamlined
communication and interaction between justice partners
and result in more efficient processing of cases.
The architecture should contribute to the long-term
effective administration of justice. The design should
provide for flexibility to anticipate future changes and
enhance building longevity.
Facilities should be organized both horizontally and
vertically. Public access needs should dictate overall
planning of facilities. High-volume public spaces and
services as well as high volume courtrooms should be
located on the lower floors.
There should be clear separation between the various
court jurisdictions and departments located in the new
facility. Higher volume functions should be located on
lower floors to reduce strain on vertical circulation systems.
5 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
Courtrooms and ancillary spaces should be constructed to
accommodate a broad range of growth or policy changes
by the Court and enhance the facility’s flexibility and long-
term usefulness.
Since the majority of cases are settled or negotiated
instead of culminating in trial, all facilities should have
places for lawyers and parties to meet and confer.
The jury assembly/jury pool area should be located in an
area that is easily accessible and identifiable by the public
as many visitors may be visiting the Civil District Court for
the first time. The jury lounge can be used as a large
meeting area for other functions when not in use by jurors.
For example, it may be possible for the Sheriff’s Civil
Division to use this area to conduct public real estate
auctions
Accessibility
Judicial architecture should physically embody the basic
principles of fair and equal public access to justice. All
public buildings, and especially government buildings,
should be accessible to all segments of society. For
courthouses, unfettered access is a right, not a privilege.
All facilities should accommodate a wide range of
individual preferences and abilities and should be useful
and marketable to people with diverse abilities.
All facilities should be a barrier-free, accessible facility in
compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Title II
requirements for governmental buildings. These
requirements are detailed in the 2004 ADA Accessibility
Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities (ADAAG) as
adopted by the US Department of Justice (DOJ)2. Under
ADAAG, all public areas, as well as restricted and secure
areas, must be accessible when newly constructed or
renovated.
All facilities should be organized around a simple and
clearly evident public way-finding system to assist visitors
in conducting their business at the courthouse. Factors that
aid the ability to find one’s way in a new environment
include:
o A simple and clearly displayed public directory and
compatible signage system.
o Good visual access into the environment,
especially line of site access.
o An easily understood floor layout and identifiable
pathways to common destinations.
o Visual access to the outdoors to serve as an
orientation guide.
o Variability in the environment provided by color,
texture, patterns and décor.
o Landmarks, especially near decision points.
All facilities should provide differentiated architectural
elements and scale to enhance orientation in and around
the building.
2 The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has recently adopted the 2010
ADA Standards effective March 15, 2012. See the DOJ's website for PDF and expanded editions http://www.access-board.gov/ada/index.htm.
6 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
Accessible restrooms should be available throughout all
facilities with some designated for use only by judges,
staff, and impaneled jurors.
Security
The design of the courthouse should provide for a safe and
secure environment for all building users – internal and
external stakeholders including judges, staff, attorneys,
witnesses, law enforcement staff, and public visitors to the
site.
All facilities should allow business in the courthouse to be
done in such a way that it upholds judicial decorum in a
safe environment.
Building systems should be designed and maintained to
protect public health and life safety, as well as provide
direct egress routes for rapid and safe evacuation of
building occupants to the outside in cases of an
emergency.
Security should be visible but not obtrusive. The image of
the courthouse should seek a balance between the
openness and transparency of the judicial process while
promoting a sense of safety for all building occupants.
Visitors should be aware of security controls and the
presence of uniformed security personnel (i.e. deputy
sheriffs). Security equipment and systems are important
parts of appropriate design; however, their provision
should not unduly conflict with the efficient operation of
court business or compromise the citizen’s perception of a
fair and open judicial process.
One shared staff and public entrance point should be
provided to reduce operational screening requirements. An
additional entry point may be provided via a secure parking
structure for elected officials and a limited number of staff.
Protected pathways from the secure parking area should
be provided.
Adequate space should be provided at all main entrances
for queuing of court visitors with special attention to
problems caused by inclement weather. The entrances
should allow fast and efficient processing of employees
and the public; there should be no options for entry into the
courthouse but to go through the screening checkpoint,
except for judicial officers. After clearing the checkpoint,
the public should enter into a larger area (lobby) of the
building to allow people to become oriented for way-finding
purposes after passing through the screening point.
Provide an integrated solution for security. The security
planning for all facilities should incorporate architectural
barriers, security systems and equipment, and effective
security operations in a balanced way. Security provisions
must be cost-effective and developed with an
understanding of the impact on the Sheriff's Office.
Accommodations should be made for the installation of
security surveillance and monitoring systems throughout all
facilities. These systems should be controlled through a
central security command center and should be connected
at all times to the sheriff’s main communication/
surveillance/ dispatch function.
7 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
The new facility should be organized into zones that are
similar in function, operational needs, physical
characteristics, or access requirements.
Access Control and Building Circulation
Public Zone: The public circulation system provides
access from the public point of entry to the
controlled access points for the restricted and
secure areas of the courthouse. All areas that
require access by the general public should be ac-
cessible from the public circulation system including
courtrooms, public counter areas and clerk
functions, court administration, witness waiting
areas, public restrooms, public elevators, and
chambers reception areas. The public circulation
system also includes the public waiting areas
immediately adjacent to courtrooms and attorney
conference rooms. Public circulation corridors
should be appropriately sized to allow for adequate
waiting areas by providing “wide spots in the
hallways” for benches or other breakout areas to
enable conversation and waiting. Natural light and
views should be provided in the public lobby,
waiting areas, and circulation spaces to promote a
sense of the transparency of the judicial process.
Oftentimes due to volume and protracted
proceedings, lawyers and parties may be required
to wait in hallways and alcoves. Consequently,
these public spaces should provide for comfortable
seating, considerate levels of conversation, safety
of the parties, and respect for the adjudication
process.
Restricted Zone: The restricted circulation corridors
provide access to court staff, judges, escorted
jurors, and security personnel to courtrooms,
chambers, court support space, and jury
deliberation rooms. Building service functions,
including storage and other building support areas,
should also be located within the restricted
circulation zone. The restricted circulation system
may include connecting stairs between staff areas
on multiple floors.
In addition to the restricted zone of circulation, it is
recommended that a small dedicated in-custody
holding area to be provided. In courts where
criminal matters are heard, this zone is typically
composed of secured circulation corridors and
elevators serving an in-custody entrance (sally
port), a central holding and intake area; secure
attorney interview rooms, and courtroom holding
areas adjacent to courtrooms. Considering that the
number of in-custody prisoners is very limited at
this Civil District Court, a smaller dedicated in-
custody holding area should be considered.
Interface Zone (Courtrooms): The interface zone is
the focus of all court facilities and is the destination
for judges, attorneys, court support staff, jurors, in-
custody participants (where applicable), witnesses,
and public spectators to conduct their business in a
formal courtroom setting. Access to the courtrooms
should be carefully considered and planned as
separate entrance approaches need to be provided
for all the participants listed above.
8 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
Technology
All facilities, including all courtrooms, offices, and other
functional spaces, should be designed to accommodate
advanced technologies to facilitate the efficient
administration of justice and improve the quality of service
to the public. Refer to appendices for possible courtroom
technology configuration options (page 77).
The facility should be designed with provisions for potential
future implementation of paperless technologies at all
functional areas for increased efficiency operations and
access to online court documents.
The facility should be designed to permit judicial branch
network connections to public kiosks and public customer
service centers in the building lobby to facilitate, as
possible, litigant and lawyer electronic check-in and
updating of daily court dockets and schedules to speed
courtroom calendar calls.
The lobbies and hallways outside courtrooms should be
designed to accommodate electronic flat panel video
display screens listing a daily log of cases, judges and
courtroom locations.
The facility should be designed to accommodate Wi-Fi
access. Both encrypted and non-encrypted Wi-Fi networks
should be established. Access to the encrypted Wi-Fi
network should be for judicial staff only; access for jurors;
attorneys and the general public should be non-encrypted.
Sustainability Principles
The architecture should promote the ideals of sustainable
design practice and incorporate green building strategies
to promote environmental responsibility, building occupant
health, and building operational efficiency.
The design should seek to minimize life cycle costs,
including the use of materials that will maximize durability
and longevity.
The design should seek to use energy resources efficiently
by minimizing energy and water use and maximizing use of
natural daylight.
The architecture should give preference to environmentally
sensitive products, including, (but not limited to) those
without toxic ingredients and those which contain recycled
content.
The architecture should create healthy indoor and outdoor
environments for building occupants.
The architecture should minimize adverse impacts that site
development may have upon natural and built systems.
The building should be adaptable for future inclusion of
innovative energy and environmental technologies as they
become commercially viable.
9 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
IV. STAFFING SUMMARY
Planning indicators such as population demographics and
cases being filed are indicative of the rate of growth of a
court. These two together may be extrapolated to infer the
future staffing needs of the Court.
In the years prior to Hurricane Katrina, the Orleans Parish
population held steady at just under 500,000 residents
(496,938 in 1990; 494,294 in 2005). The city master plan
indicates that the city’s population may once again reach
as high as 502,651 by year 2030.
Case workloads have also been affected since 2005,
dropping to 69% of the levels seen before the hurricane in
both the Civil District Court and the First City Court.
However, despite the overall drop in filings since Katrina,
the number of new filings has been increasing yearly. This
increase is expected to continue into the future; albeit at
rates slower than had been seen in the past.
The project team also researched parishes with
comparable case filing levels which included East Baton
Rouge and Jefferson Parishes. The result of this study
supported the planning conclusion that the current number
judicial officers allocated to both the Civil District Court and
the First City Court are adequate to handle the current
workloads as well as possible future workload demands.
See Appendix: Historic Case Filings for the Civil District
Court (page 93)
These planning indicators of the post-Katrina population
growth and case filing trends as well as feedback from the
various Court user groups suggest that the current
operations and staffing will continue to adequately serve
the New Orleans Parish to year 2030 as the city continues
to redevelop and grow following the Katrina Hurricane.
The space needs for the courthouse and all building
occupants will be based on current staffing levels. The
existing staffing is summarized in the table below:
Department Current
FTE
On-Site Parking (2012)
Civil District Court
Judges 14 14
Judge Support Staff 14 14
Clerk of Civil District Court 152 4
First City Court
Judges 3 3
Judge Support Staff 3 3
Clerk of First City Court 17 1
Sheriff's Office Civil Division 85 2
Constable 15 8
Judicial Administration - JEF 17 1
Total 320 FTE 50
10 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
V. BUILDING SPACE PROGRAM
New Orleans Civil District Court Space Assignment by Department
1.0 Public Lobby and Support Areas
7,020 DGSF 7.0 Sheriff's Office Civil Division
7,521 DGSF
7.1 Executive Offices 5,091
2.0 Building Support Spaces
8,425 DGSF 7.2 Operations/Judicial Enforcement 2,430
3.0 Civil District Court
61,510 DGSF 8.0 Constable
2,369 DGSF
3.1 Standard Courts (13) 36,582
3.2 Complex Litigation Courtrooms (2) 6,773
9.0 Judicial Administration - JEF
5,938 DGSF
3.3 Judicial Suites (15) 18,155
9.1 Administration 1,507
9.2 Jury Pool 4,431
4.0 First City Court
15,581 DGSF
4.1 Courts (3) 8,112
10.0 Information Technology
2,774 DGSF
4.2 Judicial Suites (3) 3,496
4.3 Clerk of First City Court 3,973
11.0 Clerk of Civil District Court
61,263 DGSF
11.1 Administration 8,349
5.0 Shared Judicial
2,015 DGSF 11.2 Civil Clerk Operations 13,884
11.3 Land Records (Mortgage and Conveyance) and Notarial Archives 14,243
6.0 Holding
702 DGSF 11.4
General Storage and Public Areas in the Land Record Divisions 24,788
Does Not Include Offsite Storage of 31,000 BGSF
Total Departmental Gross Square Feet
175,117 DGSF Grossing Factor @ 25%
43,779 SF
Total Courthouse Structure Gross Square Feet 218,896 BGSF Other Construction
75,000 BGSF
Ground Floor Shelled Retail
20,000 BGSF Parking Garage (3 levels, 150 cars)
55,000 BGSF
Total BGSF with Retail and Garage 293,896 BGSF
11 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
DEPARTMENTAL SPACE LISTINGS
Space Description Extg. Staff
(2013)
No. of Units (Low)
Space Stnd.
Area Totals Comments
I.000 Public Lobby and Staff Entry Areas
Building Entrance Vestibule na 1 250 250
Security Queuing na 1 300 300
Security Screening na 1 200 200
Deputy Station - See Section 7.000
Public Lobby na 1 2,000 2,000 Provide docket display area and public elevator waiting
Information Desk na 1 100 100
Vending Area May be relocated away from the lobby area.
Public Elevators na 4 100 400
Public Rest Room na 10 220 2,200
Staff Entry na 1 100 100
Staff Elevator Lobby na 1 100 100
Staff Elevators na 2 100 200
Total Net Square Feet 5,850 NSF
Grossing Factor: 20% 1,170 SF
Total Departmental Square Feet
7,020 DGSF
TOTAL LOBBY AND SUPPORT SPACE (DGSF) 7,020 DGSF
12 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
Space Description Extg. Staff
(2013)
No. of
Units (Low)
Space Stnd.
Area Totals Comments
2.000 Building Support Spaces
Loading Dock na 1 200 200
Dumpster Area na 1 200 200
Recycling Area na 1 100 100
Building Ground Maintenance Storage na 1 500 500
Receiving Area na 1 100 100
Emergency Shower na 1 60 60
Mail Room na 1 200 200
Supply/ Storage na 1 60 60
Service Elevator na 1 120 120
Restroom na 1 50 50
Mechanical Rooms 1 2,000 2,000
Building Storage 2 1,000 2,000
Reduced Employee Break & Dinning Area
Restroom na 2 50 100
Dining Area 1 800 800
Vending Area na 1 150 150
Kitchenette/sinks/cabinets 1 100 100
Total Net Square Feet 6,740 NSF
Grossing Factor: 25% 1,685 SF
Total Departmental Square Feet
8,425 DGSF
TOTAL BUILDING SUPPORT SPACE (DGSF)
8,425 DGSF
13 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
Space Description Extg. Staff
(2013)
No. of
Units (Low)
Space Stnd.
Area Totals Comments
3.000 Civil District Court
3.100 Civil Courts
Standard Courtroom na 10 1,700 17,000 50 person gallery seating capacity; 14 person jury box; two litigant tables; center bench; court crier, minute clerk, and reporter stations
Domestic Courtroom na 3 1,700 5,100 70 person gallery seating capacity; no jury box; two litigant tables; center bench; court crier, minute clerk, and reporter stations
Sound lock Vestibule na 13 80 1,040
Small Attorney-client Conference Room na 13 80 1,040
Medium Attorney-client Conference Room na 13 120 1,560
Equipment Storage na 13 0 0 Included in the courtrooms.
Secure Storage na 13 0 0 Included in the courtrooms.
Jury Deliberation w/ Restroom na 2 450 900
Courtroom Waiting na 10 100 1,000 Provide alcoves or widened public hallways
Family Waiting Area (20 Person x 20 SF/Person) na 2 250 500 Locate proximate to Domestic Courtrooms
Total Net Square Feet 28,140 NSF
Grossing Factor:30%
8,442 SF
Total Departmental Square Feet
36,582 DGSF
3.200 Complex Litigation Courtroom Sets
Complex Litigation Courtroom na 2 2,000 4,000 50 person gallery seating capacity; 14 person jury box; four litigant tables; center bench; court crier, minute clerk, and reporter stations
Sound lock Vestibule na 2 80 160
Small Attorney-client Conference Room na 2 80 160
Medium Attorney-client Conference Room na 2 120 240
Equipment Storage na 2 0 0 Included in the courtrooms.
Secure Storage na 2 0 0 Included in courtrooms.
Jury Deliberation w/ Restroom na 1 450 450
Courtroom Waiting na 2 100 200 Provide alcoves or widened public hallways
Total Net Square Feet
5,210 NSF
Grossing Factor: 30%
1,563 SF
Total Departmental Square Feet
6,773 DGSF
14 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
Space Description Extg. Staff
(2013)
No. of
Units (Low)
Space Stnd.
Area Totals Comments
3.300 Civil District Court Judicial Suites
Judge's Chambers 14.0 15 280 4,200
Law Clerk 14.0 15 100 1,500
Minute Clerk 14.0 15 100 1,500
Court Reporter 14.0 15 64 960
Court Crier 14.0 15 64 960
Files/ Copy Area/ Storage na 15 50 750
Galley na 15 35 525
Restroom na 15 50 750
Shared Break Room/Lunch Room na 1 360 360
Shared Conference Room (10 Person) na 4 300 1,200
En-Banc Conference Room (20 Person) na 1 800 800
En-Banc Suite Restroom na 2 50 100
En-Banc Suite Shower with Anteroom na 1 80 80
En Banc Conference Room Vestibule na 1 80 80
Kitchen and Storage - En Banc Suite na 1 200 200
Total Net Square Feet
13,965 NSF
Grossing Factor: 30%
4,190 SF
Total Departmental Square Feet
18,155 DGSF
TOTAL CIVIL DISTRICT COURT SPACE (DGSF)
61,510 DGSF
15 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
Space Description Extg. Staff
(2013)
No. of
Units (Low)
Space Stnd.
Area Totals Comments
4.000 First City Court
4.100 Courts
First City Court Courtroom na 3 1,700 5,100 65 person gallery seating capacity; no jury box; two litigant tables; center bench; court crier, minute clerk, and reporter stations
Sound lock Vestibule na 3 80 240
Small Conference Room na 3 80 240
Conference Room na 3 120 360
Equipment Storage na 0 25 0 Included in courtrooms
Secure Storage na 0 25 0 Included in courtrooms
Courtroom Waiting na 3 100 300 Provide alcoves or widened public hallways
Total Net Square Feet 6,240 NSF
Grossing Factor: 30% 1,872 SF
Total Departmental Square Feet
8,112 DGSF
4.200 First City Court Judicial Suites
Judge's Chambers 3.0 3 280 840
Law Clerk 3.0 3 100 300
Minute Clerk 3.0 3 120 360
Court Reporter 3.0 3 64 192
Court Crier 3.0 3 64 192
Files/ Copy Area/ Storage na 3 50 150
Galley na 3 35 105
Restroom na 3 50 150
Shared Conference Room (8 Person) na 1 200 200
Shared Break Room/Lunch Room na 1 200 200
Total Net Square Feet 2,689 NSF
Grossing Factor: 30% 807 SF
Total Departmental Square Feet
3,496 DGSF
16 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
Space Description Extg. Staff
(2013)
No. of
Units (Low)
Space Stnd.
Area Totals Comments
4.300 Clerk of First City Court
Public Entrance Lobby/Waiting na 1 150 150
Reception Counter 1.0 1 64 64 Public counter workstation
Public Access Terminals/Records Review Carrels na 6 25 150 Provide 6 workstations
Record Review (File) Clerks 3.0 3 64 192 Public counter workstation
Docket Counter Clerks 3.0 3 64 192 Public counter workstation
Cashier 1.0 1 64 64 Public counter workstation
Small Claims Clerks 1.0 1 64 64 Workstation accessed by public visitors; provide 2 side chairs
Evictions Clerks 1.0 1 64 64 Workstation accessed by public visitors; provide 2 side chairs
First City Court Clerk Office 1.0 1 270 270
Clerk Rest Room na 1 50 50
Deputy Chief's Office 1.0 1 150 150
Executive Assistant 1.0 1 100 100
Bookkeeper Office 1.0 1 64 64
Typists /Data Entry Clerks 2.0 2 64 128 Workstation accessed by public visitors; provide 2 side chairs
Index Clerks 1.0 1 64 64
Scanning Station na 0 64 0
Conference Room (12 Person) na 1 300 300
Active Court Records Storage na 1 240 240 Compact shelving system for 6 yrs record storage w/ 20% expansion
Administrative/Supplies Storage na 1 150 150 Provide Safe
Work Room / Mail Room na 1 200 200
Staff Restrooms na 1 50 50
Lunch Room / Break Room na 1 250 250
File Sorting and Mail Drops Work Area na 1 100 100
Off-Site Storage na 0 3,700 0 Less frequently accessed records to remain off-site
Total Net Square Feet 3,056 NSF
Grossing Factor: 30% 917 SF
Total Departmental Square Feet
3,973 DGSF
TOTAL FIRST CITY COURT SPACE (DGSF)
15,581 DGSF
17 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
Space Description Extg. Staff
(2013)
No. of
Units (Low)
Space Stnd.
Area Totals Comments
5.000 Shared Judicial Spaces
5.100 Public Help Center/Domestic Violence Assistance
Public Help Center Reception Area na 1 100 100
Reception Counter na 0 64 0
Public Self Help Forms Area na 1 0 0 Provide forms area and open work surfaces; 10 Persons x 35 SF Person
Public Self Help Area Counter na 0 48 0
Public Terminals/Reading Carrels na 1 150 150
Domestic Violence Waiting Area na 1 150 150 10 Persons x 15 SF/Person
Domestic Assistance Workstations na 2 36 72 Currently staffed by law student interns
Domestic Violence Coordinator 1.0 1 64 64
Public Information Officer 1.0 1 64 64
Work Room/ Copy/ Storage na 1 0 0
Conference Rooms na 1 0 0 (8 Person)
5.200 Courthouse Training Center
Training Center with an Equipment Room na 1 800 800
Training Center Storage na 1 150 150
Total Net Square Feet 1,550 NSF
Grossing Factor: 30% 465 SF
Total Departmental Square Feet
2,015 DGSF
TOTAL SHARED SPACE (DGSF)
2,015 DGSF
18 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
Space Description Extg. Staff
(2013)
No. of
Units (Low)
Space Stnd.
Area Totals Comments
6.000 Holding Areas
6.100 Central Holding
Male Holding na 1 120 120 Include detention grade lav/stall
Female Holding na 1 80 80 Include detention grade lav/stall
Secure Vestibule na 1 100 100
Janitor's Closet na 1 40 40
Vehicle Sally port na 0 400 0 Provide for one squad car in the parking deck
Interview Rooms na 2 90 180
Total Net Square Feet 520 NSF
Grossing Factor: 35% 182 SF
Total Departmental Square Feet
702 DGSF
TOTAL HOLDING SPACE (DGSF)
702 DGSF
19 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
Space Description Extg. Staff
(2013)
No. of
Units (Low)
Space Stnd.
Area Totals Comments
7.000 Sheriff's Office Civil Division
7.100 Executive Offices
Sheriff Field Office 1.0 1 270 270
Sheriff Rest Room na 1 50 50
Chief Deputy 1.0 1 180 180
Legal 3.0 3 64 192
Fiscal Affairs Offices 3.0 3 64 192
Management Services Assistant 1.0 1 64 64
Administrative Assistant 2.0 2 64 128
Real Estate Clerks 9.0 7 64 448
Movables Clerks 2.0 2 64 128
Docket Clerks 9.0 8 64 512
Reception/Public Waiting na 1 180 180
Public Access Terminals na 2 25 50
Receptionist/Intake Counter na 3 64 192 Staffed by deputies from docket and real estate
Break Room/Kitchenette na 1 250 250
Conference Room na 1 400 400 20 Person)
File Room na 1 150 150
Supplies/Equipment Storage na 2 120 240
Mail/Work Room na 1 150 150
Staff Restroom na 2 50 100
Janitor Closet na 1 40 40
Total Net Square Feet 3,916 NSF
Grossing Factor: 30% 1,175 SF
Total Departmental Square Feet
5,091 DGSF
20 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
Space Description Extg. Staff
(2013)
No. of
Units (Low)
Space Stnd.
Area Totals Comments Comments
7.200 Sheriff Operations/Judicial Enforcement
Servicing Deputy Department Head Office 1.0 1 120 120
Judicial Enforcement Department Head Office 1.0 1 120 120
Assistant to the Servicing Dept. Head 1.0 1 64 64
Deputy Squad Room na 1 550 550 Shared by services, court security, and agency security
Computer Room 1.0 1 300 300
Security Management, Surveillance, & Dispatch na 1 150 150
Security Storage/Weapon Storage Locker na 1 75 75
Lockers Storage for Male Deputies na 1 150 150
Lockers Storage for Female Deputies na 1 120 120
Restrooms na 2 50 100
Servicing Deputy Work Room/Copier na 1 120 120
Total Net Square Feet 1,869 NSF
Grossing Factor: 30% 561 SF
Total Departmental Square Feet
2,430 DGSF
TOTAL SHERIFF CIVIL DIVISION SPACE (DGSF)
7,521 DGSF
21 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
Space Description Extg. Staff
(2013)
No. of
Units (Low)
Space Stnd.
Area Totals Comments
8.000 Constable 1st City Court
Constable's Office 1.0 1 270 270
Constable Restroom na 1 50 50
Chief Deputy Operations 1.0 1 150 150
Deputy Supervisor 1.0 1 84 84
Serving Deputy Room 6.0 1 200 200 Provide non-permanent workstations
Student Intern 1.0 1 48 48 Contractor position
Bookkeeper Office na 1 100 100
Accounts Payable Specialist 1.0 1 64 64
Public Waiting Area na 1 100 100 6 person waiting area
Deputy Constable Counter Workstation 2.0 2 64 128 Cashier functions
Overflow Counter Workstation na 1 36 36
Deputy Constable (Administrative) 3.0 3 64 192
Break room na 1 150 150
Copy / Supplies / Equipment na 1 100 100
Records Storage na 1 100 100
Secure Storage na 1 50 50
Total Net Square Feet 1,822 NSF
Grossing Factor: 30% 547 SF
Total Departmental Square Feet
2,369 DGSF
TOTAL CONSTABLE SPACE (DGSF)
2,369 DGSF
22 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
Space Description Extg. Staff
(2013)
No. of
Units (Low)
Space Stnd.
Area Totals Comments
9.000 Judicial Administration - JEF
9.100 Administration
Reception/ Waiting na 1 100 100
Executive Assistant/ Receptionist 1.0 1 64 64
Judicial Administrator 1.0 1 270 270
Chief Accountant 1.0 1 100 100
Accountant 1.0 1 64 64
Accounts Payable 1.0 1 64 64
Domestic Violence Coordinator See Section 5.0 0
Public Information Officer See Section 5.0
Public Help Center See Section 5.0 No Law Library provided; see Public Help Center listing Section 5.0
Intern 1.0 1 48 48
Custodian 2.5
Small Meeting Room na 1 150 150 6 person meeting room
Scanning Clerks 1.0 1 64 64
Storage/Work Room na 1 150 150
Files/Supplies Storage na 1 85 85
Restrooms na 0 50 0
Total Net Square Feet 1,159 NSF
Grossing Factor: 30% 348 SF
Total Departmental Square Feet
1,507 DGSF
23 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
Space Description Extg. Staff
(2013)
No. of
Units (Low)
Space Stnd.
Area Totals Comments
9.200 Jury Pool
Jury Administration Office (Inc. 2 Jury Assistant Workstations)
2.0 1 150 150
Jury Pool Assembly Seating Area na 1 2,250 2,250 (150 Persons x 15 SF/Person)
Staff Copy/Mail/Fax Area na 1 120 120
Juror Business Center na 1 150 150
Public Restroom na 2 180 360
Vending/Snack Area na 1 75 75
Janitor's Closet na 1 40 40
Reading Area with Tables na 1 250 250
Juror Check In Vestibule na 1 150 150
Total Net Square Feet 3,545 NSF
Grossing Factor: 25% 886 SF
Total Departmental Square Feet
4,431 DGSF
TOTAL JUD. ADMIN. SPACE (DGSF)
5,938 DGSF
24 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
Space Description Extg. Staff
(2013)
No. of
Units (Low)
Space Stnd.
Area Totals Comments
10.000 Information Technology
Chief Information Officer 1.0 1 180 180
Systems Administrator 1.0 1 120 120
Programmer 1.0 2 64 128
Help Desk 1.0 2 64 128
Intern 1.0 1 48 48
Meeting Room na 1 180 180
Work Room/Equipment Maintenance and Assembly na 1 200 200
Computer Server Room na 1 300 300 Enhanced air conditioning and air circulation
Secure Storage na 1 200 200
Centralized Audio/Visual Control Room na 1 300 300
Restroom na 1 50 50
Equipment Storage Room na 1 300 300
Total Net Square Feet
2,134 NSF
Grossing Factor: 30% 640 SF
Total Departmental Square Feet
2,774 DGSF
TOTAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPACE (DGSF)
2,774 DGSF
25 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
Space Description Extg. Staff
(2013)
No. of
Units (Low)
Space Stnd.
Area Totals Comments
11.000 Clerk of the Civil District Court
11.100 Clerk of Civil District Court Administration & Support Areas
Clerk of Court's Office 1.0 1 270 270
Clerk of Court Restroom na 1 50 50
Executive Assistant to Clerk 1.0 1 100 100
Chief Deputy Clerk's Office na 1 200 200 Office w/ a meeting table for 4 persons.
Executive Suite Kitchenette na 1 150 150
Legal Office Attorney 3.0 3 84 252
Secretary to the Clerk and the Chief Deputy Clerk 4.0 4 64 256
Conference Room na 1 250 250 12 person conference room.
Office Manager na 1 100 100
Administrative Record and Supplies Room na 1 400 400 Currently located in the Amoco building.
Bookkeeping Clerk
2 64 128 Contracted position
HR Director's Office
1 150 150 A position to be added. Office with a small table for private meeting.
HR Clerk
1 64 64
Finance Supervisor
1 100 100
Finance Clerk
1 64 64 A position to be added.
Payroll
2 64 128
Auditor 1 64 64
Uniform Storage na 1 64 64
Staff Break Room na 1 400 400 12 Person x 25 SF/Person, kitchen counter, sink, refrigerator, water fountain.
Mail Room/Work Room na 1 120 120 Mail machine, paper sorting tables, storage cabinets, copier
Staff Restrooms na 4 50 200
Total Net Square Feet 6,422
Grossing Factor: 30% 1,927
TOTAL C.D.C CLERK ADMINISTRATION SPACE (DGSF) 8,349
26 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
Space Description Extg. Staff
(2013)
No. of
Units (Low)
Space Stnd.
Area Totals Comments
11.200 Civil Clerk Operations
New Suits, Intake, and Appeals Groups
Civil Division Supervisor 1.0 1 150 150
Technical Supervisors 4.0 4 64 256
New Suits Filing Counters -Cashiers 1.0 1 64 64
New Suits Intake Clerks 2.0 2 64 128
New Suits Fax Clerk 1.0 1 64 64
Filing Data Entry 1.0 1 64 64
Filing Deputy Clerks 2.0 2 64 128
Filing Counters -Cashiers 1.0 1 64 64 Combined for the new suits and the intake cashier functions.
Index Supervisor 1.0 1 64 64
Division Clerk 14.0 14 64 896
Phone Bank Workstations 3.0 5 48 240
Copier/Scanner Stations na 0 48 0
Public Waiting at Filing Counters na 6 35 210 7'w by 5' D waiting space at each counter
Bookkeeper Stations na 2 64 128
Work Room na 1 120 120
Computer Server Room na 1 100 100
IT Staff 3.0 3 64 192
Supply Storage na 1 120 120
Appeals Clerks 2.0 2 48 96 Currently located in the Amoco building.
Appeal Case Work Room and Storage na 1 100 100 Copier and work surface.
Court Record Dept.
Supervisor 1.0 1 100 100
Division Record Clerks 14.0 14 64 896
Rovers and Supports 6.0 6 48 288
Copy Clerk 3.0 3 48 144 1 copier and 2 scanning clerks
Mail Clerk 1.0 1 48 48
Mail Room/Work Room na 1 150 150
Public Waiting at Filing Counters na 6 35 210 7'w by 5' D waiting space at each counter
Public File Review Area na 1 180 180 Work/reading surface for public viewing terminals
27 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
Public File Review Area - Table & Chairs na 1 200 200 Court record viewing table and chairs
Civil Case Record Storage na 1 3,000 3,000 10 year storage for average 21,024 cases per year in pre Katrina era filing level.
Wills and Evidence Storage Rooms na 2 700 1,400 Three-fold envelop drawers and boxes on the shelves
Supplies and Form Storage na 2 100 200
Staff Restroom - Female na 1 480 480
Staff Restroom - Male na 1 200 200
Archives (Off-site and is not included in the new courthouse space program)
3.536 --Old Record Storage at 525 Fourth Street
1 10,484 Off-site
Not included in the space estimate for the new courthouse.
--Old Record Storage at 4432 Court Street
20,630 Off-site
Not included in the space estimate for the new courthouse.
3.537 - Supervisor
1 Incl. in Purged Rec. Storage
3.538 --Deputy Clerks 12 Incl. in Purged Rec. Storage
3.539 --Runners Incl. in Purged Rec. Storage
Total Net Square Feet 10,680 SF
Grossing Factor: 30%
3,204 DGSF
TOTAL CDC CLERK OPERATION SPACE (DGSF)
13,884 DGSF
28 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
Space Description Extg. Staff
(2013)
No. of Units (Low)
Space Stnd.
Area Totals Comments
11.300 Clerk Land Records (Mortgage & Conveyance) and Notarial Archives Staff Area
Public Waiting/Reception Area 1 400 400
32 seats
Receptionist/Info Clerks 1 64 64
Receptionist's workstation adjacent to the public waiting area
Cashier Windows 10 64 640
Public Waiting before Cashier Counters 10 35 350
Accounting Work Room and Safe 1 150 150
Record Storage Cabinets and Printer Area 1 200 200
Supervisors 6 150 900
Conference Rooms 3 200 600
Shared conference rooms by all three divisions.
Indexing Deputy Clerks 14 64 896
Certification Clerks 6 180 1,080
Release Clerks 2 64 128
Deputy Clerks at Book Area 3 0
Space is included in the book storage areas.
Deputy Clerks at Index Card Counter 2 0
Space is included in the book storage areas.
Deputy Clerks at Customer Care/Help Desk 3 64 192
Employee Work Rooms 3 250 750
Employee Break Rooms/Lunch Areas 3 250 750
Supplies Storage 3 150 450
Administrative Record Storage 3 150 450
Visitor Lobby and Waiting area at the National Archive Research Center
1 250 250
Archivists 2 150 300
Conservation Clerks 2 100 200
Large work tables
FEMA Project Specialists 4 84 336
Large work tables.
QA/QC Deputy Clerks 2 84 168
Deputy Clerks at Research Center 4 64 256
Public Research & Review Area 1 200 200
Photocopy Area 1 100 100
Supplies Storage 1 180 356
Paper Preparation & Freezers 1 150 150
29 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
Janitor's Closet 1 40 40
Equipment Storage 1 150 150
Staff Restroom - Female 1 300 300
Staff Restroom - Male 1 150 150
Total Net Square Feet
10,956 NSF
Grossing Factor: 30%
3,287 SF
TOTAL LAND RECORDS & NOTARIAL ARCHIVES SPACE (DGSF)
14,243 DGSF
Space Description No. of Units (Low)
Space Stnd.
Area Totals Comments
11.400 General Storage Areas and Public Areas in the Land Record Divisions
Archives Storage Areas
Flat Files Storage 1 900 900
36'x24'6", oversized Land records, maps, & plans
High Density Storage Units 1 1,140 1,140
34'x33'7", high density, fire proof units, 14.5 rows of movable shelves
High Density Storage Units 1 1,260 1,260
42'X30', high density, fire proof shelves of land records and books
Free Standing Lateral Open Shelving Units 1 1,050 1,050
42'X25', lateral shelves archived land record books
Free Standing Lateral Open Shelving Units 1 1,584 1,584
33'X48', lateral shelves of archived land record books
Conservation Area (Book Repairs) 1 528 528
11'X48' work areas with tables
Mortgage & Conveyances Storage Areas
Mortgage Book Shelving and Worktop Storage Tables 1 1,390 1,390
34'9"X40' room with Open shelves (15) and Table units(4 rows)
Index Card Storage & Staff Area 1 667 667
23'X29', lateral drawers and upright cabinets, with two staff workstations
Open Shelves and Work Tables 1 480 480
24'X20', 20 Open shelving units
Worktop Book Storage Tables & Shelves 1 1,350 1,350
60'X22'6" worktop book storage tables and open lateral shelves
General Records Storage, Staging, and Preparation Area
1 1,968 1,968
41'X48', with 140 free standing shelves (7'x3'x15") and table height shelves
Public Waiting Area 0 0 0
32 seats and a receptionist workstation (see 11.300)
30 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
Space Description No. of Units (Low)
Space Stnd.
Area Totals Comments
Notarial Archives
Public Waiting Lobby
Waiting area is listed in the National Archive Center.
Title Research Tables for Abstractors 25 40 800
Public Research Carrels for Abstractors 15 12 144
Large Work Tables 30 1 30
Large work tables
Printers 10 8 80
Public Break Area 1 200 200
Help Desks 2 64 128
Public Restrooms 2 100 200
Notarial Archives Open Shelving - part 1 1 3,240 3,240
Open shelving units (7'x3'x15") @ 224 units, wide isle spacing
Notarial Archives Open Shelving - part 2 1 4,368 4,368
104'x42', open shelve (7'x3'x15")@296 units
Notarial Archives Open Shelving - part 3 1 2,641 2,641
38'X69'6", open shelves (7'x3'x15") @144 units, and 250SF work/copy area.
Large Format Conservation Work Area/Storage 1 640 640
Two workstations @64SF/ea, 3 Tall worktables, 21 flat File Storage
Total Departmental Square Feet
24,788 NSF
Open storage areas include departmental circulation areas, which would account for the hallway, walkway and passage space between storage elements.
Grossing Factor: 30%
0 SF
Total Departmental Square Feet(DGSF)
24,788 DGSF
31 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
VI. COURT FACILITY CONCEPT ALTERNATIVES Two concept alternatives are developed for the Orleans Parish Civil District Court. The options are presented as building massing studies to conceptualize building site development and departmental adjacencies.
Alternative 1 8 story court tower
Linear court floor configuration
Ground floor retail on site
Three level structured parking garage on site with 150 spaces
Site requirement: 310’ x 330 ‘
Alternative 2 9 story court tower
Double loaded corridor with quad-courtroom configuration
Ground floor retail on site
Three level structured parking garage on site with 150 spaces
Site requirement: 265’ x 335 ‘
32 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
COURT FACILITY CONCEPT ALTERNATIVE ONE
ALTERNATIVE 1 - MASSING STUDY AND SITE TEST FIT
33 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
ALTERNATIVE 1 – STACKING
34 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
ALTERNATIVE 1 –
FIRST FLOOR AND SITE
35 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
ALTERNATIVE 1 – SECOND FLOOR
36 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
ALTERNATIVE 1 – THIRD AND FOURTH FLOORS
37 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
ALTERNATIVE 1 – FIFTH THROUGH EIGHTH
FLOORS
38 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
ALTERNATIVE ONE – CONCEPT HIGHLIGHTS
Massing concept one was developed with the idea of
maintaining a linear court floor configuration and a single
vertical transportation and service core. This configuration
allows for clear and distinct public and private zones of
occupancy and circulation. Key considerations and highlights
are listed below.
This concept provides for vertical stacking of
courtrooms to standardize and simplify the building
structure requirements.
All vertical circulation and public restrooms are
consolidated into one service core. This consolidated
vertical building service core allows for clear
delineation and separation of public and restricted
circulation zones within the building.
Judicial chambers are separated from courtrooms via a
restricted staff hallway which provides opportunity for
interaction between judicial officers and staff; and
allows for more flexible courtroom assignment as
needed.
A singular restricted circulation zone servicing all
courtrooms on each floor, allows for a greater sharing
potential of jury deliberation, conferencing facilities, En-
Banc facilities and shared training facilities.
The overall footprint of the court tower is simplified into
a rectangular form, which may create efficiencies in
building construction.
The overall site requirements are suitable for
placement within a typical central business district
block.
This massing concept provides for an on-site public
plaza adjacent to the building entry and retail space.
The concept provides for clearly articulated public and
restricted staff entrances.
Ground floor access is provided to an adjoining retail
space.
Ground floor access is provided to high volume public functions including both the CDC Clerk and jury pool functions.
Close adjacency of Jury Pool and J.E.F. Administrative
offices is maintained.
Clear separation of private and public circulation is
maintained throughout the building.
All judge’s chambers are accessed only though a
restricted corridor, with no direct access from public
corridors.
All public lobbies and corridors have full exterior
exposure.
All First City Court functions – including courtrooms,
chambers, Clerks Office and Constable - are located
on the same floor.
All CDC Domestic Court functions – including
courtrooms, chambers, public help and domestic
violence center, and family waiting – are located on
one floor.
In-custody holding facilities are planned adjacent to the
CDC Domestic courtrooms as the highest incidence of
in-custody courtroom participants are related to
domestic cases.
39 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
The majority of courtrooms are planned on the interior
of the building (roughly 75%); hence, there are
relatively few opportunities for direct natural daylight in
this building massing configuration as opposed to a
double loaded, four-square configuration as illustrated
in massing alternative two.
40 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
COURT FACILITY CONCEPT ALTERNATIVE TWO
CIVIL DISTRICT CLERK
ALTERNATIVE 2 - MASSING STUDY AND SITE TEST FIT
41 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
ALTERNATIVE 2 – STACKING
42 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
ALTERNATIVE 2 –
FIRST FLOOR AND SITE
43 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
ALTERNATIVE 2 –
SECOND FLOOR
44 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
ALTERNATIVE 2 –
THIRD FLOOR
45 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
ALTERNATIVE 2 – FOURTH AND FIFTH FLOORS
46 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
ALTERNATIVE 2 – SIXTH THROUGH NINTH FLOORS
47 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
Alternative Two –Concept Highlights Massing concept two was developed as a four-square
courtroom configuration. This configuration maintains direct
adjacency and access between the public lobby, courtrooms,
and chambers areas. To accomplish this intent, a double
loaded public hallway scheme was developed. Key
considerations and highlights are listed below.
This concept is developed around a double loaded public corridor with a set of two courtrooms and supporting chambers located on either side of the corridor.
The court floor configuration allows for direct access to both courtrooms and chambers from the public hallway, however, the double loaded public hallway configuration effectively bisects the building and limits the opportunity for restricted hallway access across the entire court floor.
This concept provides for a dual-core restricted vertical circulation system servicing the two courtroom sets on either side of the building. This configuration results in a reduced horizontal circulation requirement as compared to a linear court floor arrangement.
This concept provides for vertical stacking of courtrooms to standardize and simplify the buildings structural requirements.
Judicial chambers are paired directly to a courtroom. This provides a convenience for judges and judicial staff; however, the lack of a common restricted hallway behind the courtrooms reduces courtroom assignment flexibility.
In this concept, two jury deliberation and two judicial conferencing spaces are provided on each CDC court floor on either side of the building. (not including Domestic Courts)
There is exterior exposure in all courtrooms which allows for natural daylight to be brought into the courtroom.
The vertical massing expression of the court building is varied and directly expresses the courtroom layout configuration. The multi-planer surface of the façade may allow for increased opportunity in the design articulation.
Close adjacency is maintained between the Jury Pool and J.E.F. Administrative Office. This arrangement enhances public accessibility and reduces stress on the vertical circulation infrastructure.
All First City Court functions – including courtrooms, chambers, Clerks Office and Constable - are located on the same floor.
All CDC Domestic Court functions – including courtrooms, chambers, public help and domestic violence center, and family waiting – are located on one floor.
In-custody holding facilities are planned adjacent to the CDC Domestic courts as the highest incidence of in-custody courtroom participants are related to domestic cases.
CDC Clerk functions are consolidated on the lower floors. This arrangement will enhance public accessibility and convenience when conducting business with the courts; as well as reduce stress on the vertical circulation infrastructure.
This massing concept provides for an on-site public plaza adjacent to the building entry and retail space.
Clearly articulated public and staff building access points are provided.
Ground floor access is provided to high volume public functions including both the CDC Clerk and jury pool functions.
Ground floor access is provided to an adjoining retail space.
The overall site requirements are suitable for placement within a typical central business district block.
48 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
APPENDICES
Civil District Court – Existing Courthouse Occupancy Summary and Space Utilization Diagrams………………….49
Existing Civil District Court Assigned Parking Available On-Site………………………………………………………..54
Civil District Court Clerk’s Office Ten year Court case Records Storage Requirement………………………………55
Civil District Court Clerk Existing Records Inventory – Amoco Building………………………………………………..56
First City Court Clerk’s Office Court Case Records Storage Requirements……………………………………………72
Sample Courtroom Layout Concepts……………………………………………………………………………………….74
Sample Courtroom Technology Equipment Layout Concepts…………………………………………………………..77
Technology Equipment Definitions…………………………………………………………………………………………80
Courtroom Technology Equipment Summary……………………………………………………………………………..84
Excerpts from the Plan for the 21st Century: New Orleans 2030………………………………………………………..87
Historic Case Filings for the Civil District Court……………………………………………………………………………93
Historic Case Filings for the First City Court……………………………………………………………………………….95
Glossary of Common Planning Terms……………………………………………………………………………………...97
49 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
CIVIL DISTRICT COURT – EXISTING COURTHOUSE OCCUPANCY SUMMARY AND SPACE UTILIZATION DIAGRAMS
50 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
51 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
52 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
53 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
54 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
EXISTING CIVIL DISTRICT COURT ASSIGNED PARKING AVAILABLE ON-SITE
Department/Position Current
FTE
Assigned Parking
Available On-Site (2012)
Civil District Court
Judges 14 14
Judge Support Staff 14 14
Clerk of Civil District Court 152 4
First City Court
Judges 3 3
Judge Support Staff 3 3
Clerk of First City Court 17 1
Sheriff's Office Civil Division 85 2
Constable 15 8
Judicial Administration - JEF 16.5 1
Total On-Site Parking Spaces 50
55 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
CIVIL DISTRICT COURT CLERK’S OFFICE TEN YEAR
COURT CASE RECORDS STORAGE REQUIREMENT
Pre-Katrina Filing Trend Post-Katrina Case
Filing Trend
Year Total New Civil
Case Filings
Year
Total New Civil Case
Filings
1996 21,938
2005 13,821
1997 23,062
2006 14,174
1998 22,438
2007 16,106
1999 21,341
2008 12,977
2000 20,365
2009 13,131
2001 21,587
2010 12,682
2002 20,257
2011 12,901
2003 19,466
2004 18,763
Annual Average 21,024
Annual Average 13,685
High Density Storage Requirement for In-Office Records Storage 6 Tier Shelving
Single Shelving Unit
Width (inches) 36"
Depth (inches) 15"
36” width shelf with 6-tiers capacity 18 LFF/ Unit
Total Linear Filing Feet Required (10 years on-site) 10,510 LFF
Total Square Feet 2,968 SF
Configuration:
Requirement for ten years in office file storage = 10,510 Linear
Feet.
High density shelving configuration.
Two islands of compact shelving, separated by a main access
aisle (8'W by 53'D).
Each island contains 72 rows of shelving units (3' W by 15"D @
6 tiers) at 8 units per row. The row length is 24' long.
Each islands has two local access aisles of 4'W x 24’ D'@2 = 192SF.
Total built footprint of 53 feet by 56 feet.
Excluding 31,000 SF of off-site storage.
8 Feet
56 Feet
24 Feet
53 F
eet
(inc
lude
s 2
- 4
Foot
Acc
ess
Ais
les)
56 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
CDC CLERK EXISTING RECORDS INVENTORY – AMOCO BUILDING
March 14, 2013 CDC Clerk Records – Amoco Building On Site: James Baker, Nathan Hall, Chelsea Napoleon Total Interior Footprint Depth and Width: 141’ x 142’ (20,022 SF)
3rd Floor – Archived Records:
1. 3rd floor - Flat Files Room a. Includes oversized Land Records incl. maps and plans b. Overall room dimensions: 36’ x 24’6” (822 SF) c. Individual Unit Dimensions: 5’6” wide x 4’2” deep x 1’4” tall – Stacked 3 high
57 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
2. 3rd Floor - High Density Storage Area One a. Includes archived land record books b. Units are protected from water penetration c. Overall room dimensions: 34’ x 33’7” - Includes 5’ access aisle one end (1,139 SF) d. Individual Unit Dimensions: 7’2’” high x 3’ wide x 24” deep (double sided) e. Counted 14.5. rows (14 @ 24” deep and one end unit @ 12” deep)
58 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
3. 3rd Floor - High Density Storage Area Two a. Adjacent to previous high density storage area b. Includes archived land record books c. Units are protected from water penetration d. Overall room dimensions: 42’ x 30’ - Includes 5’ access aisle one end (1,260 SF) e. Individual Unit Dimensions: 7’2’” high x 3’ wide x 24” deep (double sided) f. Counted 14.5. rows (14 @ 24” deep and one end unit @ 12” deep)
59 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
4. 3rd Floor – Open Shelf Archived Record Shelving a. Adjacent to previous high density storage area b. Includes archived land record books c. Overall room dimensions: 42’ x 25’ (1,050 SF) d. Individual Unit Dimensions: 7’ high x 3’ wide x 32” deep (double sided)
60 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
5. 3rd Floor – Open Shelf Archived Record Shelving a. Adjacent to previous open shelf storage area b. Includes archived land record books c. Overall room dimensions: 33’ x 48’ (1,584 SF) d. Individual Unit Dimensions: 7’ high x 3’ wide x 32” deep (double sided)
6. 3rd Floor – Document Restoration/Conservation Area a. Adjacent to previous open shelf storage area b. Overall room dimensions: 11’ x 48’ (528 SF)
61 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
7. 3rd Floor – Other Shared Spaces a. Break Room b. Public reception/ waiting 12’ x 12’ (144 SF) c. Public Reading Rooms (2 on third floor) d. Open work area next to reception desk
62 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
4th Floor – Mortgage and Conveyances: (Note: Suite 400 Admin Offices not measured)
1. 4th Floor – Mortgage Book Shelving a. Includes double sided table height shelving b. Overall room dimensions: 34’9” x 40’ (1,390 SF) c. (4) Individual Table Ht Units: 25’ x 3’ x 42” tall d. (15) Open Shelving Units (7’x3’x15”)
63 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
2. 4th Floor – Card File Storage a. Overall room dimensions: 23’ x 29’ (667 SF) b. Include 2 Work Tables
64 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
3. 4th Floor – Conveyances - Open shelving and work table area a. Includes double sided open shelving and work tables against wall b. Overall area dimensions: 24’ x 20’ (480 SF) c. (20) Open Shelving Units (7’x3’x15”)
4. 4th Floor – Conveyances - Table Height Book Shelving and Worktop Area
a. Includes double sided table height shelving b. Adjacent to open shelving area listed previously (note picture) c. Overall area dimensions: 60’ x 22’6” (1,350 SF) d. (9) Individual Table Ht Units: 14’ x 3’6” x 42” tall e. (1) Individual Table Ht Units: 9’ x 3’6” x 42” tall f. (14) Open Shelving Units (7’x3’x15”)
65 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
5. 4th Floor – General Records Storage, Staging and Prep Area a. Includes double sided table height shelving b. Shelves contain boxes and books c. Overall room dimensions: 41’ x 48’ (1,980 SF) d. (146) Open Shelving Units (7’x3’x15”)
66 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
6. 4th Floor – Mortgage and Conveyances Public Waiting a. 32 seats counted – tightly arranged (Chelsea says this number of seats is adequate – does not want fewer than
current amount) b. Overall room dimensions: 30’ x 15’ (450 SF)
67 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
5th Floor –Notarial Archives:
1. 5th Floor – Notarial Archives Public Waiting Area a. 8 Seats b. Room dimensions: 15’x20’ (300 SF)
68 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
2. 5th Floor – Notarial Archives Public Research Area a. Used primarily by title company abstractors b. (46) 2’x4’ work tables c. (11) Reading Carrols d. (2) staff help desks (w/ 4 public chairs each) e. (8) copy machines f. (1) 30 ”x 48” High Top Work Table
69 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
3. 5th Floor – Notarial Archives Open Shelving Area One a. Adjacent to public research area b. Area dimensions: 90’ x 36’ (3,240 SF) c. (224) Open Shelving Units (7’x3’x15”) – 5 Shelves each unit
70 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
4. 5th Floor – Notarial Archives Open Shelving Area Two a. Located Between Open Shelving Areas One and Two b. Area dimensions: 104’ x 42’ (4,368 SF) c. (296) Open Shelving Units (7’x3’x15”) – 5 Shelves each unit
5. 5th Floor – Notarial Archives Open Shelving Area Three a. Adjacent to Open Shelving Area Two b. Area dimensions: 38’ x 69’6” (2,641 SF) c. (144) Open Shelving Units (7’x3’x15”) – 5 Shelves each unit d. Space includes approx 250 SF work and copy area
71 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
1. 5th Floor – Notarial Archives – Large Format Conservation Work Area and Storage a. Room dimensions: 32’ x 20’ (640 SF) b. (2) 64 sf workstations c. (3) 7’ x 3’ Tall Work Tables (42” Ht) d. (21) flat file storage units (Units 45”x55”x46” tall stacked 3 units tall) e. Space Does not include adjacent freezer storage room (approx 100 SF) f. Space does not include adjacent Break Room (approx. 300 SF)
72 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
FIRST CITY COURT CLERK’S OFFICE COURT CASE RECORDS STORAGE REQUIREMENTS
Existing Storage Inventory*
File Cabinets Open Shelving Storage Vault
Cabinets in Open Office Existing Records Room ~ 550 square feet Existing Vault ~ 190 square feet
Opening Shelving Supplies
Miscellaneous Storage
(Storage room will be programmed with equal space)
2.5’ width ea. 34’ segment on two walls
5 drawers ea. 16’ segment on one wall
12.5 Linear Feet of storage ea. 84 Linear Feet
24 Cabinets currently in open office 5 Tier Shelving
300 Linear Feet 420 Linear Feet 190 Square Feet *All measurements are approximate.
High Density Storage Requirement for In-Office Records Storage 6 Tier Shelving (5 shelves holding records and 1 shelf empty)
Single Shelving Unit
Width (inches) 36"
Depth (inches) 15"
36” width shelf with 6-tiers capacity 18 LFF/ Unit
Total Linear Filing Feet Required 720 LFF
Total Linear Filing Feet Expansion 144 LFF
Total Square Feet 228 SF
73 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
Configuration:
Five double-faced, six-tier movable shelving units measured at 2.5 feet by 12 feet for each unit.
Two single faced, six-tier stationary shelving units measured at 15 inches by 12 feet for each unit.
A 4 foot by 12 foot access space.
Total built footprint of 12 feet by 19 feet.
Analysis:
Currently, the First City Court houses six years of case filing records in-office. The office utilizes two storage systems – file cabinets with approximately 5 drawers each and 5-tiers open shelving units.
The project team inventoried 24, 5-drawer file cabinets each measuring approximately 30 inches width- the equivalent of 12.5 linear feet for each cabinet- for a total of 300 linear feet capacity.
The office also utilizes a 5-tiers open shelving system lining three walls of an approximately 550 square foot records storage room. The approximate measurements of the records room is 34’ width by 16’ depth, with shelving on both walls measuring 34’ and one wall measuring 16’. This represents a total of 420 linear filing feet capacity.
It is recommended that a high density lateral file shelving system be used for the storage of the court’s case filings in the future court facility. The high density storage system should be designed using 48, six-tier shelving units, each shelf measuring 15” deep by 36” wide. The court may consider using only five of the six shelves for the existing case filings, allowing room for future expansion of case filings on the sixth shelf.
Forty-eight, six-tier shelving units will provide the court with 864 linear filing feet of total storage; representing a 22% growth capacity from the currently existing 720 linear filing feet.
In addition to the in-office records storage system, a storage vault for miscellaneous files and supply storage should also be planned to accommodate 190 square feet as currently exists.
36 in
15 in
18
0 in
ches
+ 4
8 in
ch a
isle
= 2
28
inch
es
144 inches
Sample High Density Storage Configuration
74 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
SAMPLE COURTROOM LAYOUT CONCEPTS
75 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
76 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
77 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
SAMPLE COURTROOM TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT LAYOUT CONCEPTS
78 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
79 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
80 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT DEFINITIONS
81 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT DEFINITIONS (CONT.)
82 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT DEFINITIONS (CONT.)
83 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT DEFINITIONS (CONT.)
84 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
COURTROOM TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT SUMMARY The following items identify the technology features which may be
considered in the design of future courtrooms. Note that all
information itemized is for illustrative purposes and is intended
solely to convey functional intent for the court. The final system
configuration and capabilities will be developed by the contracted
system design engineers.
General
Cameras
Quantity: 6 (4 recording cameras 2 security cameras)
Cameras should be wall mounted.
Security cameras will be located at front and back corners of the courtroom. Care should be taken such that security camera positioning does not capture jury.
All other cameras should be fixed and may be used for video recording purposes.
Actual number of cameras and specifications is to be determined if/when the court decides to implement electronic recording technologies.
Ceiling Speakers
Quantity: 12 Typical (15 in complex litigation courtrooms)
Ceiling mounted; distributed evenly Clock
Quantity: 1
Ceiling mounted near back wall centered in room Video projector
Quantity: 1
Mounted on side wall
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Minimum 6000 ANSI Lumens
Contrast ratio > 2000:1
Video Projection Screen
Quantity: 1
Electrically operated
Recessed in ceiling on side wall above witness stand area
Tab tensioned; front roll-up
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Minimum width: 120 inches
Installation to include duplex power and AV low-voltage control
Litigation Area Floor Cable Distribution System
System TBD: Use if floor ducts/raceways extending wall to wall (or) raised floor cable distribution system
Multiple channels for power, data and microphone
In floor system does not extend into spectator gallery areas Floor Boxes
Quantity: to be determined depending on final design and anticipated litigation well participants.
Recessed in floor; served by floor ducts
Power, data and microphone service Assisted Listening System (ALS)
Quantity: 1
Infrared system
85 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
Judge’s Bench
Raises Dias
18-21” Raised floor with removable panel access Millwork Features
Cable tray in rail
Removable back panel in rail
Power strip with outlets
Grommets in desk Wall Boxes
Power, data, microphone and telephone service Monitors
Quantity: 2 PC
Tower unit located under work surface (or)
Laptop docking stations may be used in lieu of tower units Telephone jack Integrated Touch Screen Control
Video projection control
Video recording control
Microphone and speaker control
Artificial lighting control
Natural lighting control
Temperature and ventilation control
Include presets for the following: General proceeding; evidence presentation; video conferencing; restricted recorded mute; general mute and broadcast cutoff
Stem Microphone
Oriented toward judges with mute control Duress Alarm
Underside of work surface
Witness Stand
Millwork Features
Movable millwork assembly with castors
Fixed desk height
Grommet in desk
Power strip with outlets Microphone:
Quantity: 1
Stem microphone oriented toward witness with mute control
Court Reporter Work Station
Millwork Features
Movable millwork assembly with castors
Fixed desk height
Grommet in desk
Power strip with outlets Microphone
Quantity: 1
Stem microphone oriented toward witness with mute control
Duress Alarm
Quantity: 1
Underside of work surface
86 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
Presentation Stand
Millwork Features
Movable millwork assembly with castors
Grommet in work surface
Power strip with outlets
Cabling to accommodate laptop connected audiovisual controls
Shelving for AV equipment (e.g. VCR, DVD) Microphone
Quantity: 1
Stem microphone oriented toward presenter with mute control
Document Camera (‘Elmo’ type)
Quantity: 1
Counsel Tables
Millwork Features
Movable desk
Modesty panel to shield lower body from litigation area
Grommet in desk Microphone:
Quantity: 1 for each counsel table
Stem microphone oriented toward attorney(s) with mute control
87 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
EXCERPTS FROM THE PLAN FOR THE 21ST CENTURY: NEW ORLEANS 2030
The Plan for the 21st Century, commonly referred to as the Master Plan, is a City Charter-mandated planning framework for the core
systems that shape New Orleans’ physical, social, environmental, and economic future. The Plan for the 21st Century reflects the
values and priorities that emerged through a community participation process and is grounded in information assembled for the first
time in one place. In 2010, the Plan was unanimously adopted by both the City Planning Commission and the City Council and was
signed by Mayor Mitchell Landrieu.
Source: http://new.nola.gov/city-planning/master-plan/
88 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
89 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
90 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
91 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
92 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
93 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
HISTORIC CASE FILINGS FOR THE CIVIL DISTRICT COURT
ORLEANS PARISH CIVIL DISTRICT COURT
Year Total New Civil
Case Filings Jury Trials
Filed % of cases filing for
jury trial
1996 21,938 N/A
1997 23,062 N/A
1998 22,438 77 0.34%
1999 21,341 64 0.30%
2000 20,365 62 0.30%
2001 21,587 66 0.31%
2002 20,257 81 0.40%
2003 19,466 63 0.32%
2004 18,763 71 0.38%
2005 13,821 41 0.30%
2006 14,174 41 0.29%
2007 16,106 38 0.24%
2008 12,977 32 0.25%
2009 13,131 51 0.39%
2010 12,682 47 0.37%
2011 12,901 39 0.30%
Source: Supreme Court of Louisiana Annual Reports, Statistical Data 1998-2011
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
Ne
w C
ivil
Cas
e F
ilin
gs
Year
Orleans Parish Civil District Court New Civil Filings 1996-2011
94 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
COMPARABLE CIVIL DISTRICT COURTS TO ORLEANS PARISH
CIVIL DISTRICT COURT
Year Orleans Parish
Civil Case Filings East Baton Rouge
Parish Civil Case Filings Jefferson Parish Civil Case filings
2006 14,174 12,635 16,370
2007 16,106 12,575 14,284
2008 12,977 14,109 13,586
2009 13,131 14,909 13,550
2010 12,682 14,065 14,671
2011 12,901 12,363 13,366
Source: Supreme Court of Louisiana Annual Reports, Statistical Data 2006 - 2011
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
14,000
16,000
18,000
Ne
w C
ivil
case
Fili
ngs
Year
Civil District Court New Civil Case filings - Orleans, East Baton Rouge and Jefferson Parishes
2006-2011
Orleans Parish Civil Case Filings East Baton Rouge parish Civil case Filings
Jefferson Parish Civil Case filings
Number of Judges
Civil Criminal
Orleans Parish 14 12
East Baton Rouge Parish 8 9
Jefferson Parish 16 Split between civil and criminal
95 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
HISTORIC CASE FILINGS FOR THE FIRST CITY COURT
ORLEANS PARISH FIRST CITY COURT
Year Total New Civil
Case Filings Civil Case Files
Terminated
Clearance
1998 19,788 15,227
76.95%
1999 19,625 13,994
71.31%
2000 19,573 13,509
69.02%
2001 19,752 14,246
72.12%
2002 18,804 14,181
75.41%
2003 16,725 12,652
75.65%
2004 15,236 11,403
74.84%
2005 12,397 8,392
67.69%
2006 6,325 5,133
81.15%
2007 5,879 3,848
65.45%
2008 7,461 4,918
65.92%
2009 9,210 7,798
84.67%
2010 9,777 7,228
73.93%
2011 8,526 4,886
57.31%
Source: Supreme Court of Louisiana Annual Reports, Statistical Data 1998-2011
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
Nu
mb
er
of
Cas
es
Year
Orleans Parish First City Court Civil Filings 1998-2011
Total Civil Case Filings Files Terminated
96 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
COMPARABLE PARISH CITY COURTS TO ORLEANS PARISH FIRST
CITY COURT
Year
Orleans Parish First City Court Civil Case
Filings
Baton Rouge Parish City Court Civil
Case Filings
Jefferson Parish City Court Civil Case Filings
(1st and 2nd)
2006 6,325 10,386 7,066
2007 5,879 11,392 6,061
2008 7,461 12,415 6,966
2009 9,210 11,977 7,894
2010 9,777 12,157 10,098
2011 8,526 11,942 7,622
Source: Supreme Court of Louisiana Annual Reports, Statistical Data 2006 - 2011
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
14,000
Ne
w C
ivil
Cas
e F
ilin
gs
Year
First City Court New Civil Case filings - Orleans, East Baton Rouge and Jefferson Parishes
2006-2011
Orleans Parish First City Court Civil Case Filings
Baton Rouge Parish City Court Civil Case Filings
Jefferson Parish City Court Civil Case Filings (1st and 2nd)
Number of Judges Orleans Parish 4 Civil only
East Baton Rouge Parish 5 Split between civil, criminal, and traffic
Jefferson Parish 4 2 at First City Court; 2 at Second City Court; Split between Civil Criminal and Traffic
97 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
GLOSSARY OF COMMON PLANNING TERMS
Acoustical Panel: A systems furniture panel with acoustical properties to absorb sound within the panel structure providing a higher STC rating for the overall workspace. ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act. Adjacency Requirements: Programming information concerning optimal functional proximity of various personnel groups and equipment areas in a company. This information is a major element of the criteria used in space planning. Area Takeoff: The tabulation of area in square feet or yardage. This information is used to quantify spaces in planning and budgeting efforts. Block Diagram: Initial form of space allocation in which the spatial requirements determined in the programming phase are shown. This diagram shows, in correct proportion, departments and their proposed locations within the space. Building Envelope: the volume of space that may be occupied by a building, usually defined by a series of dimensional requirements such as setback, stepback, permitted maximum height, maximum permitted lot coverage. Building Gross Square Feet (BGSF): Building gross area, includes the total of all departmental areas (as described above), with an additional factor to account for major public circulation among departments, elevators stairwells, mechanical and electrical spaces not specifically included in the project space listing, exterior walls, and any other common spaces not clearly identified as net areas. Building gross area
is measured to the exterior surface of permanent outer building walls, and includes all enclosed areas. CBD: Refers to the Central Business District located in downtown New Orleans. Core: The portion of the building containing a concentration of components such as elevators, elevator lobbies, restrooms, equipment rooms, etc. Departmental Gross Square Feet (DGSF): Departmental area – also called "usable area"– is measured in departmental gross square feet, including all net areas (as described above) and a factor to account for interior wall thicknesses, corridors and pathways within a department, columns and other structural elements, and inefficiencies created by shaft spaces that penetrate through the floors within departmental areas, and the like. This value represents the total area that is typically used when calculating the area on a floor that a specific unit or department would require. Elevation: a drawing showing an external face of a building. Facades: the exterior wall of a building exposed to public view or that wall viewed by persons not within the building. Full Time Equivalent (FTE): is a unit that indicates the workload of an employed person in a way that makes workloads comparable across various contexts. An FTE of 1.0 means that the person is equivalent to a full-time worker while an FTE of 0.5 signals that the worker is only half-time.
98 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
Human Scale: the quality of the physical environment which reflects a sympathetic proportional relationship to human dimensions and which contributes to the citizen’s perception and comprehension of the size, scale, height, bulk and/or massing of buildings or other features of the built environment. Infill: the placement of new buildings into established built-up urban areas, which usually results in an increase in the existing building stock. Landmarks: buildings, structures and spaces which create distinct visual orientation points that provide a sense of location to the observer within the neighborhood or district, such as that created by a significant natural feature or by an architectural form which is highly distinctive relative to its surrounding environment. Lateral File: A filing cabinet that is wider than it is deep to allow for side to side filing or front to back filing of records. Mass: the combination of the three dimensions of length, height, and depth which give a building its overall shape; a building is often composed of many masses, hence the term massing, which is often used to describe the form or shape of structures. Millwork: Built-in counters, shelving, cabinetry, wall or ceiling paneling, moldings, etc. usually fabricated off-site and made of wood and/or similar materials. Mixed Use: a development or area comprised of mixed land uses either in the same building or in separate buildings on either the same lot or on separate lots or, at a larger scale, in nodes.
Net Square Feet (NSF): Net area – also called "programmable area" – is measured in net square feet (NSF). Net area describes the actual working area of an office, workstation, or support space. Net area represents the actual area assigned for a specific space for function, excluding permanent structural or architectural elements and internal circulation. Pedestrian-oriented: an environment designed to make movement by pedestrians fast, attractive and comfortable for various ages and abilities; considerations include separation of pedestrian and auto circulation, street furniture, clear directional and informational signage, safety, visibility, shade, lighting, surface materials, trees, sidewalk width, intersection treatment, curb cuts, ramps and landscaping. Preservation: providing for the continued use of deteriorated old and historic buildings, sites and structure through such means as restoration, rehabilitation and adaptive re-use. Public Art: site specific artwork created to enhance and animate publicly accessible spaces through artistic interpretations that range from individual sculpture to integrated architectural and landscape features and treatments. Public Realm: the public and semi-public spaces of the city, especially the street spaces of the city from building face to the opposite building face (including the façade, front yard, sidewalk and streets) and open space such as parks and squares. Publicly Accessible Spaces: buildings, streets and exterior areas, which may be privately-owned, but to which the public has access.
99 | Orleans Parish Civil District Court Architectural Program
Renovation: modernization of an old or historic structure which unlike restoration may not be consistent with the original design. Restoration: accurately recovering the form and details of a building and site as it appeared at a particular period of time by means of the removal of later work or by the replacement of missing earlier work. Scale: the sense of proportion or apparent size of a building or building element as created by the placement and size of the building in its setting; scale usually applies to how the sense is perceived in relation to the size of a human being and refers to the apparent size, not actual size, since it is always viewed in relationship to another building or element. Site Plan: a plan prepared to scale, showing accurately with dimensions the boundaries of the site and the location of all buildings, structures, natural features, uses and principal site design features proposed for a parcel of land. Stepback: a setback of the upper floors of a building which is greater than the setback of the lower floors Setback: the horizontal distance from the property line to the face of a building or from natural features to a building.
Specifications: The ordering information for a piece of furniture. Typically includes the manufacturer’s item number, color, finish, size and any other options specific to the piece. Urban Design: the planning and design of cities focusing on the three dimension form and function of public and publicly accessible space. Vertical File: A filing cabinet that is deeper than it is wide, in which records can only be stored front to back. Wall Mount: Refers to the installation of systems furniture pieces that are mounted directly to a drywall partition, rather than hung from a furniture panel. Workstation: A table or desk with a three-sided partition surround, usually made for individual work. However, workstations are highly customizable, and are often used to reduce noise and provide privacy to individual employees working in a single room. Wayfinding: the information available to people which they need to find their way around a facility and can be verbal, graphic, architectural and spatial.