A system design for a courthouse building in Boston : implementing user needs and requirements

Abstract

In this thesis, will design a courthouse building located in the Government Center, Boston. This investigation will eventually lead to the development of a preliminary building system. In order to arrive at this level of investigation, urban issues and internal building organizational issues pertaining to user needs and requirements will both shape the preliminary overall building configuration. Once that configuration is established, I will focus on a specific portion of the overall building to develop a preliminary courthouse building system. I will use the observations and design principles of Herman Hertzberger to aid me in resolving some user needs and requirements when investigating urban as well as internal building organizational issues. Along with a building system methodology throughout the design process, what should result is an efficient courthouse building with a more habitable environment for its users.