Taos, NM
2011

NAIOP New Mexico Chapter
2011 Award of Excellence for Civic / Public Work

With AECOM

The Taos County Judicial Center is located on a 10.6 acre property in a developing area of Taos, NM. Consisting of three linked two story buildings organized around a central courtyard, the complex includes approximately 137,500 SF housing the administrative, courts, and detention components of the County government. The complex is designed to reflect the unique regional traditions of the American Southwest through the careful use of the building massing and materials. The use of portals, bancos, corbels, courtyards, landscaping, and appropriate exterior detailing give thought to the pueblo and territorial architectural traditions of New Mexico.

This new facility is the home of the Taos County government and receives hundreds of visitors each day. Spacious entry lobbies, an abundance of natural light, galleries fro the promotion of local artists and an understandable pedestrian circulation system are all incorporated in the design. All three buildings have been planned for expansions whether it be horizontally or vertically.

The 53,000 SF courthouse building accommodates six courtrooms, judicial chambers, the Clerk of Court, and court support spaces. The complex includes a 14,500 SF Magistrate Court, 40,000 SF Administrative building and a 44,500 SF SF County Detention Center.