A Chanen joint venture provided pre-construction services for a new 1 million-sq.-ft. Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles, California.

Sustainable design is the dominant architectural theme for a courthouse of such size and dimension as befits a structure symbolic of strength plus endurance within government.

Taking a holistic approach to sustainability is a concept which factors a process that creates buidings that integrate their place within urban environments, both in function and in layout. Various modeling techniques can dynamically compute fluid technologies, and accurately calculate maximum sunlight potential for efficient energy needs.

Chanen coordinated selection of an architect, negotiated the architect/engineer's contract, managed the design phase, coordinated the bid phase and managed the construction contracts. All four sites involved the development of prototype designs for all classifications. Value engineering reduced the cost of the project from $110 million without losing beds.

The program was completed one year earlier than requested.

Chanen built this $16.4 million, two-building complex housing 15 courtrooms, 12 jury-assembly rooms, support offices, law library and full-service cafeteria for Maricopa County, Arizona. This full-service government building is the prototype for subsequent county facilities. The project, enhanced with cherry wood and marble throughout, was built using innovative construction techniques. Construction of the interior started on the top floor and progressed down. Although unconventional, this technique allowed easier clean-up and less traffic in completed areas.

The lobby's main entrance has a series of metal detectors through which all entrants must pass. Since the Southeast Courts Complex must accommodate prisoners awaiting trial, the 177,000-sq.-ft. facility is equipped with holding cells that are overlooked by a guard station. Steel ceilings are welded in place in each cell and a special elevator transports prisoners to the courtroom-floor holding cell.

The cafeteria-style dining room is open to the public with private dining areas for judges and jurors. The building also houses a thermal storage system that uses twelve, 1,620-gallon tanks to make ice at night for daytime cooling.

The award-winning $68 million Clark County (Las Vegas) Government Center was designed by C.W. Fentress, J. H. Bradburn and Associates, Denver, Colorado in association with Domingo Cambeiro Corporation, Associate Architect, Las Vegas.

Chanen successfully completed construction management of the 375,000-sq.-ft. project within 4% of the original project estimate.

The center houses the general administrative offices of the Clark County government. Additional amenities include chambers for the Board of Commissioners, a cafeteria for 400 people and a variety of special purpose spaces. An amphitheater is also included in the courtyard.

The project was completed $2.5 million under budget and three months ahead of schedule.

Chanen provided construction management services for a new 407,000-sq.-ft. Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in downtown Las Vegas, Nevada.

The $94-million facility is designed to satisfy the US Courts' 10- and 30-year requirements.

The eight-story building houses 10 courtrooms and judges' chambers, court-related agencies and court support facilities in approximately 244,000 sq. ft.

The building provides one level of subterranean parking with 91 spaces and surface parking with approximately 200 spaces.