-By Amy Milshtein, Photography by Chris Cooper Photography

With a harsh climate and rugged landscape, the traditional architecture of West Texas remains as stark and beautiful as its surroundings. When the Federal Judiciary realized it needed a new facility to serve the region, the town of Alpine didn't get just another plain vanilla building that would blend in as blandly there as it would in Minnesota or Los Angeles or Florida. Instead, PageSoutherlandPage designed a fitting structure that anchors itself firmly in place while speaking the language of important civic buildings.

Alpine's need for a new facility proved twofold. Because of an influx of drug and immigration cases, the west Texas Judiciary saw a dramatic increase in work. The former courthouse could barely handle the caseload as it was. Not only was it small, uncomfortable and poorly designed, but the security also was not up to present standards. The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) decided to ask developers to construct a project that they could lease with an option to eventually buy.

"This design solution was such a departure from our typical leased building that it generated immediate excitement," remembers Eric Janovsky, project manager, GSA. The courthouse's chunky shape pays homage to the region's federal buildings of the past. Landmarks like Fort Davis, Fort Stockton, El Fortin del Cibolo, and El Fortin de la Cienega all can be found in the immediate area, and the Alpine courthouse employs the same simple, economical collection of elemental geometric forms.

The building rises out of the landscape proud and tall, just as the surrounding hills and mountain ranges that inspired artist Donald Judd rise from the high plains. The two-story structure is punctuated by a tower rotunda that acts as the front door. A low, long wall in front serves as passive security while further grounding the structure.

Architect Lawrence Speck, FAIA, lead designer from PageSoutherlandPage in Austin, Texas, wanted to use local stone to create the building. "We started out picking up rocks right from the site, but it proved too difficult," he says. "Instead, we got more than 12,000 tons of stone from a nearby quarry." All of that rock does double duty. Not only does the color and high texture speak strongly of place, the structure's thick massing helps dampen the wide temperature swings found in the region. An internal courtyard, another regionally inspired element, features grass, an oak tree, and a vine-shaded porch to further cool the building.

While security in a facility like this remains paramount, the designers still wanted to create a welcoming interior that could be used for receptions. The front-door rotunda space does so with unexpected elegance. Set before the space where visitors pass through the metal detectors, the space's polished stone floors and wood-paneled reception desk contrast sharply with the rustic stone of the rotunda walls. Once past the security point, a contemporary staircase invites guests to walk upstairs and pause at a balcony landing. The rotunda ceiling is clad in a straightforward truss that contrasts with the stone and adds further sculptural play.

The building's single courtroom is appropriately located on the second floor. This room is bathed in a soft, natural light that is filtered through milky glass clerestories. Wood, a traditional element in a courtroom, is found here as well, but instead of dark, carved walnut, Speck went with a mix of lighter species hung in what appears to be a modern way. "It is actually a very old western way to use wood," admits Speck, "but it does have a modern sensibility to it." Red carpeting rounds out the space in a warm, unexpected fashion.

The first floor holds offices and suites along with holding cells and processing areas. Windows to the outside are kept to a minimum for security reasons, while those facing the cool, oasis-like courtyard are plentiful.

Convincing some people at the GSA that this was the right solution proved a bit of a challenge. "It took a while to go through the process," says Janovsky. Fortunately the GSA has a commitment to good design in its leased projects as well as its owned ones, which paved the way for approval.

The town of Alpine couldn't be more proud of its new building. With only 6,000 residents, the civic impact is palpable. "It's very satisfying to have thoughtful, intelligent people excited about this project," says Speck. "Everyone from the judges to the local town historian embraced the building."

who
Project: U.S Courthouse, Alpine, Texas. Client: Amelang Partners/Alpine, LTD; Brent Redus; Craig Williams. Architect, interior designer: PageSoutherlandPage; Lawrence Speck, FAIA. Structural engineer: Walter P. Moore & Associates. Mechanical engineer: PageSoutherlandPage; Andy Baxter. Electrical engineer: PageSoutherlandPage; Pat Nolan, PE. General contractor: W.G. Yates & Sons Construction Co. Lighting designer: Acoustician: Shen Milsom & Wilke; Kelly Stumpf.

what
Wallcoverings: Pallas Textiles. Paint: The Sherwin-Williams Company. Masonry: Featherlite El Paso. Flooring: General Polymers. Carpet/carpet tile: Interface Inc. Ceiling: Trussbilt Security Ceiling. Doors: Graham Doors. Door hardware:  Assa Abloy. Glass: Guardian. Window frames: United States Aluminum. Window treatments: Draper. Railings: HDI Railings. Judges’ benches/seating, witness stands, jury boxes/seating:  Trinity. Public/spectator seating:  Custom Pews - New World Millworks. Architectural woodworking/cabinetmaking: New World Millworks. Signage: APCO. Elevators:  Thyssen Krupp. Security: ADT. Building management system, HVAC: Trane. Plumbing fixtures:  Kohler.

where
Location:  Alpine, Texas. Total floor area:  39,778 sq. ft. No. of floors:  2.
No. of courtrooms: 1. Average courtroom size: 1,300 sq. ft. Maximum occupancy: 338 people. Cost/sq. ft.:  $309.