Richard McElhiney Architects LLC

Nazario U.S. Courthouse & Degetau Federal Building General Services Administration Hato Rey, PR

This modernization of the 470,000sf Federal Building Complex in Hato Rey included design and improvements to the 100,000sf Clemente Ruiz Nazario U.S. Courthouse. The work included the replacement of all mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems; removal and replacement of all ceilings and light fixtures; compliance of public areas with Federal Accessibility Standards and correction of egress deficiencies, to create a high-performance green building. Beyond the scope of the base project, Richard McElhiney identified the original building’s shortcomings in prisoner circulation paths. Richard then completed a full Feasibility Study at the request of the GSA and the U.S. Courts which identified locations and developed plans for a vehicular sallyport, holding cells, and prisoner circulation, including five new elevators, which would eliminate all interaction of prisoners with Judges and their staffs or the public.

Associated Architects: Dattner Architects and Goshow Architects

photographs: main image courtesy of Dattner Architects;

http://www.dewberry.com/portfolio/project/federico-degetau-federal-office-building-and-clemente-ruiz-nazario-courthouse