Calgary Courts Centre: A modern benchmark for forward-thinking courthouse design

In the heart of Calgary’s business district, the Calgary Courts Centre stands as one of North America’s largest consolidated justice facilities. The one-million-square-foot project brings all court levels together under one roof to share common spaces, improve efficiency, and reduce trial delays.

Spanning two city blocks, its design is inspired by the ‘scales of justice,’ with two towers, 20 and 24 storeys, joined by a soaring 26-storey atrium. The Centre includes 73 courtrooms, 94 judicial chambers, a library, cafeteria, prisoner areas, offices, and counsel facilities. In collaboration with Alberta’s Indigenous community, the design also incorporates a flexible Indigenous courtroom modeled after a ceremonial tepee to support Indigenous justice and traditions.

The building honours Calgary’s judicial history while prioritizing natural light, safety, clarity, and dignity. Glass elevators and elevated walkways connect all components, creating visibility and openness across public lobbies and gathering spaces. To ensure an intuitive experience, 13 courtroom types were modeled to optimize circulation for judges, staff, and visitors alike.

Designed for transparency and sustainability, the Calgary Courts Centre modernizes the traditional courthouse aesthetic of heavy stone and closed doors with warmth, openness, and light. A welcoming street-level entry and the use of glass, white space, and natural materials help ease the stress often associated with entering a courthouse.

Excavation revealed a hidden arm of the Bow River flowing beneath the site. To secure the foundation, a 12-foot-thick raft slab was poured to ensure long-term structural stability.

Sustainability principles are woven throughout the architecture, making the Calgary Courts Centre Canada’s largest building to achieve LEED Silver certification at the time. Today, it is a benchmark of innovation and contemporary design and a symbol of Alberta’s judicial legacy.