Three SOM projects—the New United States Courthouse in Los Angeles, India Basin in San Francisco, and San Diego Central Courthouse—were honored in the 2017 Architect’s Newspaper Best of Design Awards. The fifth annual awards program highlighted projects in 42 categories. Entries were judged on presentation, innovation, sustainability, design, and use of new technology.
The New United States Courthouse in Los Angeles won in the Facade category and received honorable mentions in the Civic-Administrative and Green-Civic categories. The 10-story, 633,000-square-foot building achieved LEED® Platinum certification in May of 2017 and meets the GSA’s 2020 energy objective. The combination of transparent and opaque panels on the building’s facade maximizes natural daylight inside the courthouse while minimizing solar thermal gain.
India Basin won in the Urban Design category. The project proposes transforming former industrial land along the San Francisco Bay into an active waterfront destination and a residential village. SOM’s comprehensive design interweaves parks, plazas, and open space with pedestrian and bicycle-friendly connections, as well as buildings for residential, commercial, and community-serving purposes. ?The project was developed in collaboration with city government agencies and local residents.
The San Diego Central Courthouse received an honorable mention in the Civic-Administrative category. The precast concrete courthouse consolidates San Diego County’s criminal trial, family, and civil courts into a 25-story downtown tower. Located on a former brownfield, the project is designed to be a catalyst for an emerging government district.