Maricopa County Downtown Court Tower

Maricopa County’s new court tower, designed by Multistudio in association with AECOM, is the largest single project in the county’s history. Spanning 693,000 square feet over 14 stories, the $263million facility redefines the modern courthouse, integrating therapeutic environments for victims—the first in the nation to do so, guided by Arizona’s Victims’ Bill of Rights. Situated alongside a 1928 historic courthouse, the design respects the past while establishing a new civic landmark for the future.

Designing for Safety, Access, and Well-being

The courthouse prioritizes clear, visible entrances, ensuring an intuitive and secure arrival experience. Inside, natural daylight and panoramic views create a sense of openness and calm, reinforcing the courthouse’s role as a place of justice and dignity. A deliberate approach to materiality and spatial organization fosters a safer, more comfortable environment for all occupants, particularly victims navigating the legal process.

Optimized for the Desert Climate

With over 4,437 daylight hours per year, sunlight was used strategically to balance illumination, energy efficiency, and occupant comfort. Each façade responds to its specific solar exposure, with the east and west sides buffered to minimize heat gain, while daylight-sensitive areas maximize indirect natural light. The result isa highly functional, climate-responsive structure that enhances both efficiency and user experience.

A Sustainable and Enduring Civic Presence

Achieving LEED Gold Certification, the court tower reflects a commitment to sustainability and long-term resilience. Thoughtful massing and orientation ensure energy efficiency, while connections to South Mountain, the surrounding landscape, and the historic courthouse root the building in its context.

This innovative courthouse is more than a facility—it is a progressive model for judicial architecture, prioritizing human experience, sustainability, and civic responsibility in a way that sets anew precedent for courthouses nationwide.

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