Proj Overview

Project Overview

The James F. Battin United States Courthouse in Billings, Montana is a 147,000 square foot building that houses three courtrooms, four judges' chambers, the U.S. Marshal Service, and other court-related federal officers.

In addition to high energy efficiency and a dramatic visual appearance, this federal courthouse is required to meet strict Anti-Terrorist/Force Protection standards. To meet these standards, blast resistance was critical to all aspects of design and building material planning.

Precast Solution

Architectural precast concrete provided the versatility needed to meet the project’s aesthetic goals, while also providing blast resistance and contributing to the energy efficiency of the project.

Precast concrete enabled the entire project was completed in just 27 months, the fastest delivery of a federal courthouse at the time of its construction.

The decision to use include the precaster in the early stages of the design process resulted in meeting project goals efficiently.

 

Awards_
2013 PCI Design AwardsBest Justice and Correctional Building
Project Team

Architect

NBBJ, Seattle

Structural Engineer

Magnusson Klemencic Associates

Blast Engineer

Weidlinger Associates

Design Build Contractor

M.A. Mortenson Construction Co.

Owner

General Services Administration, Rocky Mountain Region

PCI-Certified Precaster

Gage Brothers Concrete Products

Precast Specialty Engineer

Gage Brothers and Infrastructure LLC

Precast Blast Consultant

Precast Blast Consultant

Key Project Attributes

  • Project completed in 27 months establishing a new record for fastest delivery of a federal courthouse at the time of construction
  • Two colors, three finishes using formliners and acid-etching techniques
  • Meets Federal Threat Level 4  blast resistance design standards
  • 30% more energy efficient than code at the time, and achieved an energy cost savings of more than 40%
  • Designed for a 100-year service life

Project/Precast Scope

  • U.S. Federal Courthouse
  • 147,000 square feet
  • Five stories
  • 349 architectural panels and column covers
  • LEED Gold Certified