wide view looking through a large courtroom to the judge's bench at the center of the front wall. Rows of bench seating flank two aisles, digital screens on the side walls.

Red Deer Justice Centre

An Efficient, Accessible Justice Center for All

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Client

Government of Alberta

Project Location

Red Deer, Alberta

Area

313,000 SF; 29,118 SM

Certification

LEED Gold

Since the Red Deer Courthouse was built in 1982, the city’s population has grown at one of the fastest rates in Alberta. Correspondingly, the number of judges in the Court of King’s Bench and Provincial Court has expanded and outgrown the facility, leading some functions to be located offsite and creating inefficiencies. Our team worked with Alberta Infrastructure, Alberta Justice and Solicitor General, and the Judiciary to design a new consolidated, secure, and modern justice center to serve the Red Deer community. The team planned the project on a tight site downtown, adjacent to the Parsons Residence, a municipal historic resource. The design incorporates graceful curves which evoke the Red Deer River and directs public views to the nearby park.

Early evening exterior view from street level of a rectangular nine-story courthouse with a public plaza fronting a curved entrance and lobby.

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Justice Built Around Community

The project includes a new eight-story, 313,000-SF justice center in the heart of Red Deer, Alberta. The courts program consists of seventeen courtrooms with varying designs and purposes, including an Indigenous-centered courtroom. The courtroom’s central space, inspired by restorative justice and healing circles, mirrors the medicine wheel, a sacred symbol and teaching tool employed by Indigenous cultures. The space is augmented with special ventilation to aid with ceremonial smudging. The justice center also houses an on-site Resolution Support Centre designed to minimize psychological and physical barriers to justice services for the community.

View of indigenous courtroom with a semi-circular table for 20-plus people. Digital screens and cameras mounted on the walls and a recessed circular light fixture above the table.

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Designing for Sustainable Justice

Longevity was a core value for the project. The forward-thinking design is intended to last 40 years. Specialized audio-visual systems and new technology infrastructure are incorporated to support virtual hearings and enhance accessibility for the hearing impaired, and better audio quality overall. The LEED Gold project is equipped with durable materials and high-performing building systems, making it easier to maintain over time.

Other major program spaces include a basement holding area, interview rooms, administrative and judicial offices, jury deliberation rooms, below-grade parking, and other support spaces. Our team provided architecture, courts planning expertise, and interior design services in collaboration with Group2 Architecture Interior Design.

Entrance lobby with info desk and court operations center to the right and grand staircase on the left.