This project consists of a 17 story federal courthouse building with an underground parking garage and two additional basement levels. The structure includes space for 41 district courthouses and accompanying judges’ chambers, as well as holding areas for defendants, and offices for the US Marshalls, and was designed through a design competition, run by the General Services Administration.

In a unique method to marry function and form, the building is characterized by the sixteen story curved glass wall which stretches over the front of structure. Solar panels embedded into this curvilinear glass façade provide the energy needed to power some of the building’s energy needs, while the wall serves as an enclosure for a large atrium space. In addition, the design of the building maximizes natural light into the interior spaces, making use of clerestory windows and light wells, as well as natural ventilation.

Size:     
947,000 square feet

Construction Cost:   
Confidential

Completed:   
2010 (Estimated)

Davis Langdon provided cost planning and cost estimating services from program to final bridging document stages.  Our role began with the initial cost validation at the program stage at which time we compiled a list of similar projects that we had worked on and developed benchmark cost data that was adjusted for time and location to reflect costs in Los Angeles.  This served as the basis for establishing a realistic cost target to fulfill the programmatic and quality expectations anticipated by both the GSA and the Judges.  These cost guidelines were then used to determine the amount of program that could be built within the established budget for the project.

As the project moved through design, our role was to continue monitoring the design and to ensure that the cost and budget remained in alignment.  This was achieved through a series of detailed cost estimates that tracked costs on a building systems basis and value engineering suggestions when system costs exceeded the targets.  We worked closely with the design team and utilized a full team of cost estimators experienced in all design disciplines including MEP.  Through our sustainable design consulting group, we were also able to assist with the LEED process to ensure that sustainable design features were appropriate and affordable when compared back to the cost model that was established during the program stage.

Since the design phase occurred over a long period of time, it was important to monitor both current and future anticipated cost trends.  This was achieved through our Research Group which was responsible for publishing market condition reports on a regular basis that analyzed the local construction market and helped inform our project manager as to what escalation factors should be included within the cost reports to account for future cost trends.