The new Fredericton Justice Building is the first purpose-built project of its kind in the city since 1880. This courthouse will take its place alongside many important civic buildings that form part of an institutional precinct in the city centre.

The simple, solid mass is designed in deference to its judicial function and was inspired by the enduring, timeless quality of the many institutional buildings – the Legislature, the Fredericton Region Museum (formerly the Garrison, part of the military compound), the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, and the Christ Church Cathedral among them – that have long distinguished Fredericton as a capital city and centre for government, education, military, art and faith.

The six-storey structure will fill a marked void along King Street near Regent and continue the existing street frontage. A cantilevered canopy runs the length of the King Street facade to create a more pedestrian-friendly scale at grade. The building’s main entrance sits off a new, landscape forecourt and drop-off loop. The courtyard enhances the urban condition, the arrival sequence, and the relationship between building and street.

Brick, stone, glass, copper and concrete combine to create a durable, high-performance exterior envelope that is a suitably dignified, contemporary expression of local traditions and national democracy. Inside, predominantly wood finishes balance the need for a robust, secure, easily maintained, high-traffic civic building with the flexibility and adaptability of an evolving judicial system.

Unobstructed access to daylight is a primary organizing element on each of the upper levels. The second floor, largely dedicated to administrative functions, locates a mix of open and closed offices around the perimeter of the floor plate providing staff with excellent daylight and engaging views. On levels 3 through 6 – the courtroom floors – public circulation runs the length of the north elevation to allowing sights of the Legislature and the St. John River. Judicial chambers and lounge spaces are positioned along the south with unobstructed daylighting and views toward the university on the hill; and courtrooms are situated along the east and west facades, looking out to downtown Fredericton.

Team:
Prime Consultant: Goguen Architecture
Courthouse Specialist: Julian  
Structural: Valron Structural Engineers
Mechanical: Agryll Consultants/MCW Mericor 
Electrical: RSEI
Civil: CBCL Limited
Geotechnical: GEMTEC