Kent County Courthouse

The old Kent County Courthouse is a prominent presence on the most historic green in Dover, the state capital. However, the building has become outmoded in terms of space adequacy, security, way-finding, inmate movement, and public circulation. Our firm was retained to develop a master plan, caseload analysis and staffing projections, and space programming and design services for a new 120,000-square-foot superior and common pleas courthouse, adjacent to the historic courthouse on Legislative Square.

We developed an approach to integrate this new building into the historic fabric allowing the courthouse to face both the Legislative Square across from the state capitol building and the Dover Green. The new building is fully integrated with the old courthouse and provides separated circulation for judges, public, and inmates in both buildings. The design expression is accented with contemporary detailing and light-filled interior spaces.