Design Concept for the New Chattanooga Federal Courthouse
National Civic Art Society Hails Unveiled Design for New Chattanooga Federal Courthouse as a Triumph of Classical Architecture and Civic Beauty
HOK’s Greco-Deco Design, Led by Architect Paul Woolford, Promises to Be the Showpiece of President Trump’s Executive Order to Make Federal Architecture Beautiful Again
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Civic Art Society (NCAS) enthusiastically praised the design concept unveiled today by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) for the new federal courthouse in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The design, produced by the architecture firm HOK under the lead of architect Paul Woolford, presents a stately Greco-Deco classical building that honors Chattanooga’s architectural heritage, dignifies the federal judiciary, and promises to stand as a beloved civic landmark for generations to come.
The new courthouse will be located on Vine Street and will encompass approximately 191,000 square feet. The building pays graceful homage to Chattanooga’s existing federal courthouse, the beloved historic Joel W. Solomon Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, which exemplifies the stripped classical style.
The new design’s square fluted columns are crowned with custom capitals inspired by the iris, Tennessee’s state flower—an exquisite detail that roots the building in its place and gives it a distinctly American, distinctly Tennessean character.
Chief Judge Travis R. McDonough, who was appointed by President Barack Obama, stated, “This enduring symbol of our republic will become Chattanooga’s premier civic space. As our city’s most consequential building in generations, this courthouse will stand for the next century as a sanctuary for those who seek justice, a forum to gather together, and a classroom to educate our student citizens.”
NCAS president Justin Shubow said:
This is simply a beautiful building—one that will uplift the spirits of every citizen who approaches it. HOK and lead architect Paul Woolford have achieved a design that is at once monumental and welcoming, classical and original. The iris capitals are an inspired touch, drawing on Tennessee’s natural beauty and weaving it into the stone of a federal building. This courthouse honors Chattanooga, its historic fabric, and the enduring tradition of civic architecture that speaks to all people regardless of background or belief. We have every confidence it will be cherished by the people of Chattanooga and all of East Tennessee for as long as it stands.
The National Civic Art Society commends GSA Administrator Edward C. Forst and the entire GSA team for their commitment to delivering a building worthy of its civic purpose. The Society also extends its admiration to Chief Judge Travis R. McDonough, whose leadership and vision have been indispensable in guiding this project toward excellence.
The Chattanooga courthouse is precisely the kind of building that President Trump’s Executive Order on federal architecture—“Making Federal Buildings Beautiful Again”—was designed to produce. NCAS was proud to help prompt and draft that important Order, which directs that new federal buildings embody the classical and traditional architectural heritage of the United States rather than the cold, alienating styles that dominated federal construction for decades.
When the Chattanooga courthouse is completed, it will stand as the living proof that the Executive Order represents wise and humane public policy—something all Americans, regardless of political party, can and should support. Beautiful public buildings are not a partisan matter; they belong to everyone.
This courthouse is currently the only totally new GSA courthouse under way with a design in hand. NCAS hopes that the Chattanooga courthouse will be completed before the end of President Trump’s term, so that it may serve as the crowning showpiece of his Executive Order.