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Berkeley County Judicial Center • Martinsburg, West Virginia
The new Berkeley County Judicial Center is an adaptive reuse of a 1920’s woolen mill, 1980’s outlet mall, and 1990’s community and technical college. The original U-shaped Berkeley Building was constructed of brick and heavy timber built in phases from 1917 to 1927. The new design celebrates the original woolen mill by emphasizing its form and materials, while creating a contemporary expression leading the County and Judiciary into the 21st Century. A contrasting new protruding glass entrance fills the U-shaped building creating a usable court floor plate.
Original exterior walls are exposed in a new three-story light well creating a grand public space that serves to orient the public within the new large floor plate. The third and fourth floor, which houses the Magistrate Court and Circuit Court respectively, is connected through this open space by glass railing bridges and serves as entrances to the courtrooms. The backdrop of the judges’ benches within the courtrooms also takes advantage of the existing brick window openings that expose the building’s history.
The project’s goal was to safely consolidate all judicial operations (Circuit, Magistrate, and Family Courts, Clerk of the Magistrate and Circuit Courts, Grand Jury, Prosecuting Attorney, Probation, Law Library, Court Support, and Central Holding) under one roof in a modern judicial facility that allows for future growth and expansion. Using the buildings that comprised the outlet mall allowed the County to consolidate the entire judiciary and support system within downtown Martinsburg. The new government campus anchored by the Judicial Center provides parking, room for expansion, and greater efficiency and ease of use for the community and employees.
oWner
Berkeley County Commission Martinsburg, West Virginia
architect of record
AECOM Architects Arlington, Virginia
landscape architect
Lee & Associates, Inc. Washington, DC
Civil engineer
Alpha Associates, Inc. Martinsburg, West Virginia
structural and mechanical engineer
AECOM Arlington, Virginia
General Contractor
Brechbill & Helman Construction Company, Inc. Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
photographer
Erik Svensson — Building Photography Centreville, Virginia Brechbill & Helman — Aerial Photography Completion date: 2006 number of Courtrooms: 9 Courtrooms, Hearing Room, and Grand Jury Room Construction Cost: $20.4 million
Type of Court: Criminal, Civil, Domestic, Juvenile, Drug, Small, Claims, Traffic, Probate
Building area:
New - 41,200 GSF, Renovated - 81,406 GSF Financing method: General Obligation Bonds delivery method: Design / Bid / Build Type of Construction: Reuse, Addition, and Renovation leed Certification: None
