Boston, MA – The Federal Public Defenders moved to the Fort Point Channel, across from the Federal District Court Building where most of their cases are tried. Their fifth floor, 20,000sf offices at 51 Sleeper Street have spectacular views of downtown Boston as well as the Federal Court House.
The vast majority of staff required acoustically private offices. The program additionally required conference rooms, library, kitchen, and support areas. Major orthogonal circulation plays with the power and syncopation of large mushroom headed concrete columns to provide variety. Large ash framed areas
of wall are carved out and brightly painted to create places for artwork and interest along the paths of travel. The primary circulation has ample width to foster chance encounters among attorneys and its major axes terminate in glass-walled conference rooms maximizing light transmission to the interior and simplifying wayfinding.
The linear library extends from the elevator lobby and reception area, through a full glass-ended and book-lined research area to a glass-walled library/conference room beyond. The public spaces share a finish language of earth tone carpets, ash bookshelves, off-white walls, and indirect lighted coffered ceilings.
The project team included architect, Bergmeyer Associates, Inc.; contractor, Structure Tone; engineer,
Commercial Construction Consulting, Inc. lighting, Boston Light Source and furniture by Knoll.