The new United States Courthouse in Los Angeles is a 10-story, 633,000-square-foot facility containing 24 courtrooms and 32 justice chambers. The state-of-the-art structure features a distinct cube-shaped design with a serrated glass and aluminium facade that adds aesthetic depth, while effectively mitigating solar heat gain.
SOM Architecture designed the courthouse to achieve LEED Platinum certification; as such, energy efficiency and natural light diffusion were a top priority. This is evident in the monumental skylight that redirects sunlight to the grand atrium at the structure’s core using strategically placed reflectors.
To help circulate light into the building’s interior spaces, all-glass glazing systems were utilized, including over 762 metres of custom TAPER-LOC® from CRL. Golden Glass installed the system on stairways, walkways, and on floor ledges which overlook the atrium below.
Developed for use with laminated toughened glass, the TAPER-LOC® Frameless Glass Balustrade System delivers all-glass visuals that improve light diffusion, creating open and vibrant spaces. This aligned with SOM Architecture’s design intent of reducing dependency on artificial lighting.
Because of the courthouse’s centralized location in bustling Downtown Los Angeles, contractors faced strict construction schedules. The TAPER-LOC® Frameless Glass Balustrade System can reduce installation time by more than 50% compared to wet-glaze systems. A precision torque tool simplifies glass adjustment, further expediting the installation process in order to meet tight schedules.
The United States Courthouse in Los Angeles is driven by sustainability. With all-glass aesthetics, the TAPER-LOC® System helps optimize the flow of daylight to reduce energy consumption while promoting an open, collaborative environment.
