The 2012 American Institute of Architecture/Academy of Architecture for Justice (AIA/AAJ) Justice Facilities Review (JFR) Program Award of Excellence Merit has been awarded to Leers Weinzapfel Associates for their Taunton Trial Court in Taunton, MA.

The firm had previously won the award for its US District Courthouse back in 2008 and on accepting for a second time, Principal Andrea Leers, FAIA, said: “We are passionate about inspiring courthouse design and creating civic buildings such as Taunton that positively transform their urban contexts and become proud new landmarks in their communities.”

Taunton Trial Court is on track for LEED Gold certification and comprises a limestone-clad courtroom and contrasting glass entry tower entered through an open forecourt. Daylight streams through the generous windows and roof monitors, and an internal garden provides a restful connection space between the new courthouse and the existing Superior Courthouse.