Courthouse

Untitled by Michael Singer
Medium: Mixed Media
Year Completed: 2003
Location: Palm Beach County Courthouse
                   205 N. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401

The Palm Beach County Courthouse Security Barrier Project was initiated prior to 9/11. The project’s goal was to commission a site-specific work that provided aesthetic security barriers on the east west plaza areas of the County Courthouse to protect the facility from unwanted vehicular traffic. Inscribed on each of the granite blocks is a historic quote regarding liberty, justice or democracy.

East Plaza

The carved and smooth surfaces of the barrier blocks hint at a balance of justice.  The two detached, semi-circular forms on the forecourt of the east plaza echo the large open archway of the courthouse and are reminiscent of ancient amphitheaters that were, perhaps, the first venues of free speech and trial by one’s peers.

 West Plaza

The pavilion in the west plaza area is made of Montclair Marble columns and Grey Cloud granite benches.  The roof is made of cypress wood, capped with copper.  In time, the roof will attain a teal patina to echo some of the detailing on the courthouse.  The roof has an open osculus which provides light in the otherwise shady and cool pavilion – a reference to shedding light on a subject (as in the search for truth) or perhaps, the osculus may be viewed as the eye of justice.  Overall, the pavilion is reminiscent of the cupola that houses the Magna Carta in Runnymede, England.  

 SECURITY BARRIER FEATURES

• 240 + tons of granite utilized in the project including the large barrier blocks, ground pavers and benches that line either side of both plazas.
• The existing cement pavers on the forecourts of both the east and west plaza areas were excavated and replaced by granite and cast coral pavers.
• Six large, carved sculptural forms made of Grey Cloud granite are situated in the plaza areas.  The granite is a light shade of grey, speckled with black and white flecks – perhaps a suggestion that the flexibility of a legal system with “grey areas” rather than an absolute system best serves a free society.