Bienville parish courthouse

The Bienville Parish Police Jury commissioned SBB to assess growth options. After preparing a facility program and a detailed analysis it was clear that the Parish had outgrown its’ current space and needed a new Courthouse.

 

The final design is a new two-story 46,000 SF state-of-the-art facility in which a central atrium connects two buildings on the East and West.  The new Bienville Parish Courthouse houses offices and public spaces for the following departments: Clerk of Court, Tax Assessor, Registrar of Voters, Sheriff, District Attorney, Police Jury, Judges Chambers and Courtroom, as well as a Conference Center.

 

The Atrium between the two buildings is a grand and open space with curtain walls that face North and South allowing natural daylight into the building and providing vistas of the site.  A two-story opening allows the light to reach the First floor.  With visitors in mind, all of the departments are easily identifiable and accessible from the atrium.

 

The Architecture of the new Courthouse is reminiscent of the original Bienville Parish Courthouse with its arched windows, brick facade and tower (which serves as a stair). The plan organization is symbolic of the regional vernacular “dog trot”. The new Bienville Parish Courthouse integrates not only 21st Century technology into the courtroom, but also incorporates sustainable design practices such as day-lighting strategies and high efficiency heating and cooling.