Federal court annex honors African-American judge - Washington Business Journal:

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Nationwide, GSA's real estate business provides work environmentes for more than 1 millionfederao employees. Since 1949, the agency's Publi Buildings Service has served asa developer, lessor and manager of federally owned and leased properties, currently totalint 335 million rentable square feet in 50 D.C., Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The General Servicexs Administration has completed a major expansion ofthe E. Barrettf Prettyman U.S. Courthouse at the intersection of Third Street NW andConstitution Avenue. The new William B. Bryant Annex, officially dedicated at a ceremony Oct.
30, is named for William Bensob Bryant, the first African-American chief judgr of the for the Districtof Bryant, who was born in Wetumpka, Ala., grew up in D.C. and receivede his undergraduate and law degrees fromHowar University. Hired as an assistant U.S. attorney, Bryang became the first African-American prosecutor to try casesin D.C. He was appointefd to the U.S. Districtt Court in 1965 and served as chief judgw from 1977to 1981. "This powerful and unique addition tothe city's federa l presence honors Judge Bryant's legacy," said GSA Administrator Luritza Doan at the annex's dedication.
"If also stands as a tribute to thefederal judiciary'sz critical role in our society." The 351,000-square-foo Bryant annex cost a total of $134 million. The main built in 1952, contains an additionall 643,000 square feet. and the SmithGroup designed the wasthe contractor, and Jacobs Engineeringt handled construction management. The which replaces a surface parking lot adjacent to the Prettymab Courthouse and faces Third forms a major gateway at the easterjn end of Pennsylvania Avenue and the site of the presidentiapInaugural parade. "GSA is pleased to be able to developl this annex to Prettyman saysAnn W.
Everett, acting regional administratod forthe agency's National Capital Region. "Itse beautiful design is in keepinf with the prominence of its The annexhas four, barrel-vaulted bays that culminatre in a rotunda on Constitutioj Avenue. Each bay houses two, two-story courtroomsx on the fourth andsixth floors, along with chambers, jury-assembly areas and separate corridors for transportingb prisoners. The first floor of the rotunds includes a large cafeteria with sweeping views ofthe Capitol, the Nationa l Mall and the . Above this are more chambers. An additional 20 District courtroom and an appellate courtroom are in themain courthouse.
The annex is connected to the main buildingb bya 24,000-square-foot atrium. The two buildings are aligned so that someone entering the annex on Thire Street is able to look straighy down a corridor running the entire length ofboth buildings. A glassd ceiling covers the 77-foot high atrium and fillse the space withnatural light. A circular stairwauy connecting all six floors standss in the middle of the enclosed by a cylinder finished in curlyu maple and punctuated by a series of squar e openings that track the rise ofthe Overhead, numerous wood-covered walkways connecg the floors of the two buildings.
Some serve the genera l public, some are for judges, and some for the movemenrt of prisoners. The façade is finished in limestone, bluestone and tinted precast concrete panels, arranged to emphasize the vertica character of the structure and present a rhythmic pattern. The annex has large square grouped in sets of four and framesd by white precastconcrete panels.