South Texas College of Law, T. Gerald Treece Courtroom and Advocacy Center

Houston, Texas

Firm

Gensler

Client

South Texas College of Law

Area

8,000 sq.ft.

Completion Date

11/2003

This courtroom complex was developed to promote the advocacy program at South Texas College of Law and to attract the nation’s brightest students interested in an advocacy career.
The authentic working courtroom is housed within a learning environment and provides a center for academics, practice sessions and competitions. The courtroom is a two-story space with a judge’s bench that accommodates nine justices. The backdrop for the bench is a dramatic, 20-foot-high curved wall composed of beautiful sapele pommelle. The courtroom also includes significant audiovisual and technological enhancements.
The public space transitions from the atrium entry into the courtroom and leads into the adjacent Hall of Champions and Board of Advocacy conference room. The college’s moot court champions are honored on the wall, and custom millwork houses its extraordinary number of trophies and awards.
Elegantly framed, museum-quality black-and-white photos by Geoff Winningham feature interior and exterior views of prominent Texas courthouses.

“Timeless and modern. Exquisite use of materials. Great detailing.”–2004 jury