New York County Family Courthouse (New York City, New York)

 courthouse, family court, 1975_construction, Modern (architecture)

11-story modernist courthouse originally completed in 1975. Designed by Haines Lundberg Waehler, the building houses the Family Court, Department of Probation, Human Resources Administration, and Legal Aid. As built, it was a shiny black cube. Considered by many to be dark and foreboding, it was often referred to as the Darth Vader Building. A complete renovation in 2006 by Mitchell & Giurgola Architects LLP changed the facade to one of grey and beige granite, with operable vents and custom vertical glass fins, and a more open entrance. The new double-height entry facing both Leonard and Lafayette Streets, is recessed (angled at the ends) with a transparent glass curtain wall.

On Lafayette Street, the upper floors are mostly line with horizontal ribbons of blue-grey tinted windows underlined by grey metal bands. At the center of the 4th-5th floors is recessed, lined on the sides with silver panels. A slightly narrower section at the 8th-9th floors are also recessed, with the northern side wall receding at an angle, and three flagpoles mounted on the facade rising in front on the recessed area. The south side of the building ends at the 9th floor adjacent to this recessed area, while the north side extends further up to the top floor. The upper floors have different fenestration, with large square windows below vents. The top floors overhang the recessed area, and angle back toward to center of the south facade, with more large square windows.

On the Leonard facade, there are more of the ribbon windows as well as a pair of 2-story glass curtain wall sections in the center of the facade at the 5th-6th and 8th-9th floors. To the west of these curtain wall areas are two 2-story cut-out notches from the corner, with angled rear walls. The top floors, angling over from the east facade, realign at the west side of the Leonard facade, continuing the large square windows. The north facade on Franklin Street mirrors the south facade.

The west facade, facing an alley, has small square punched windows replacing the window bands of the other facades. At the ground floor, partially clad in black granite, are several garage doors and freight entrances. The 2-story notched corners from the south and north facades continue on this facade. In the center of the facade are multi-floor areas that are partially recessed and partially covered with glass curtain walls. Large vents run across the top floor.

The Family Court hears cases involving children and families and handles issues such as child abuse and neglect (child protection), adoption, child custody and visitation, domestic violence, guardianship, juvenile delinquency, paternity, persons in need of supervision (PINS), and child support.