Located on the University of New Mexico campus, this 33,000 sf, three-level (plus basement) appellate court was designed and constructed to increase NM Court of Appeals’ functional space. NCA collaborated with multiple state agencies to program each agency’s specific needs. A safe and secure facility for judges that offers welcoming space to the public was achieved by zoning the first level as public, and the second and third levels as private.
Appellate courts have minimal public circulation and do not have jury boxes or jury rooms. Their primary function is to provide space for presentation of oral arguments. To increase courtroom flexibility, NCA designed a program including a jury box and deliberation room as well as: courtroom facilities, judge’s chambers, mediation suites, judicial support offices, meeting rooms, attorney staff offices, and clerk’s office.