The Red Deer Justice Centre is set to transform the judicial landscape of central Alberta, replacing the city’s aging courthouse with a modern facility designed to meet the region’s evolving needs.
Located in the heart of downtown, the 312,000-square-foot building spans nine storeys above grade and two below, housing 12 fully built courtrooms with the flexibility to expand to 16 as demand grows. “This state-of-the-art courthouse will increase access to justice services for residents of Red Deer and central Alberta,” says Pete Guthrie, Minister of Infrastructure.
Designed by Group2 Architecture Interior Design in collaboration with justice facility specialists DLR Group, the courthouse strikes a careful balance between security, accessibility, and a sense of openness – ensuring a welcoming yet appropriately formal environment.
For Group2 principal Kari Anne Gaume, the project was uniquely significant. “The project is right next to our office building, so it was an incredible opportunity to work on a large-scale project in Red Deer, right on our doorstep.”
A key consideration in the design was integrating the new courthouse into its urban surroundings while respecting Red Deer’s historic Parsons House, a 1903 heritage structure on the site. “We had to be very conscious of how it fits into the urban landscape and the fabric of downtown,” says Craig Webber, principal at Group2. “That consideration played a significant role in our early massing studies – determining what would make sense within the context of the city.”
Preserving the historic house introduced certain constraints, but it also presented an opportunity. To honour the site’s history while maximizing functionality, the design team angled the new building, creating a more dynamic relationship between old and new while enhancing the courthouse’s presence in the downtown core.
Clark Builders began construction in August 2020, with careful planning required to ensure the preservation of Parsons House throughout the process. “The building and Parsons House occupied the majority of the available site space, which required just-in-time delivery and the creative use of space to manage numerous deliveries and laydown areas for material supply,” says Cameron Worthing, project executive at Clark Builders.
Key factors, such as laydown areas, crane placement, and drilling, were carefully managed to avoid any impact on the historic structure. “Additionally, multiple off-site storage locations were used to pre-fabricate formwork and store materials that couldn’t yet be delivered to the site due to space constraints,” adds Worthing. This thoughtful approach ensured that both the heritage building and the new courthouse could coexist seamlessly on the site, maintaining the integrity of the location while progressing with the project.
The design goal was to create a space that balances security with a welcoming atmosphere. “From a psychological perspective, we wanted to reduce stress for visitors and staff,” explains Gaume. The extensive use of glass on the east side of the building not only enhances openness but also offers calming views, contributing to a more peaceful environment. “The stone cladding on the exterior façade was quarried in Europe, cut, honed, and manufactured into panels in Texas, and then transported to Red Deer for installation,” adds Worthing.
Inside, the layout was meticulously crafted to meet the building’s operational needs. The ground floor houses key public-facing areas, such as the busy docket courtroom and the court operations area, while the upper floors are dedicated to courtrooms and judicial offices. A standardized tower design – featuring stacked jury rooms and courtroom configurations – maximizes both functionality and cost-effectiveness. The courthouse also includes dedicated areas for alternative dispute resolution, with suites for judicial dispute resolution services, family and civil mediation, and a specialized Indigenous courtroom designed to accommodate smudging ceremonies.
Wayfinding was another key focus of the design, with an emphasis on clear signage to help visitors move through the courthouse with ease. Separate circulation for judicial, individuals in-custody, and the public ensures both security and efficiency while enhancing the overall visitor experience. “Ensuring the public can quickly and intuitively navigate the building was a top priority,” explains Gaume. “Reducing stress in a courthouse environment is crucial, and a well-thought-out layout plays a big role in achieving that,” adds Webber.
Security considerations shaped every aspect of the design. “Security impacted the entire flow of the building,” Webber explains. “For example, the movement of vehicles – everything from vans to buses transporting individuals in-custody – had to be carefully planned. Entry and exit protocols are strict, and even something as simple as a fire alarm must be controlled to prevent unintended security breaches.” For designers, the goal was to create a secure space without it feeling overtly intimidating.
As construction progressed, the design had to adapt to the rapid evolution of digital court technologies, a shift accelerated by the 2020 pandemic. “When we originally designed the building, full digital integration for court proceedings seemed like something that was still 10 to 15 years away,” Webber said. “Then COVID changed everything. While the building was under construction, we had to incorporate digital solutions that are now fully integrated into court operations.” Gaume echoed this: “The transition was rapid, and we had to ensure the building met the new realities of judicial proceedings and services.”
Sustainability was a key consideration throughout the design, with the building achieving Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification. Emphasizing energy efficiency and durability, the design ensures the facility will serve as a cost-effective public asset for years to come.
Reflecting on the project, Gaume pointed to the collaborative nature of the process as a key success factor. “I think we were able to adapt so efficiently because of the highly collaborative nature of the project. Our consultant team had already been working closely together in person, which made transitioning to virtual collaboration during the pandemic much smoother.” Webber agrees, adding, “While the timing of incorporating digital court operations presented challenges, its integration increased the functionality of court proceedings beyond what was originally envisioned.”
With construction now complete, Alberta Infrastructure has officially handed the building over to Alberta Justice, which will make final preparations for operations before the facility opens to the public on March 3, 2025.
“The Red Deer Justice Centre represents a significant step forward in improving access to justice for all Albertans, especially those in rural communities,” says Mickey Amery, Minister of Justice and Attorney General. “This state-of-the-art facility will ensure that residents of central Alberta have the resources they need to navigate the justice system with more ease and efficiency.”
Article by Natalie Bruckner from Award Magazine
