The idea for the building was originally conceived in 1976 and construction began in 1978.[3][4][5]Grad Associates (Newark) and StudioHillier (Princeton) were involved in the design, for which they won an American Institute of Architects award.[6][7] The Justice Center complex was completed in 1982.[8] The modernist building is an 41.62 m (136.5 ft) eleven-story tall structure has approximately 1,080,000 square feet. It can be seen as three buildings in one: two eight story office building around a cube, which houses the court. Indoor bridges connect the fourth, fifth, seventh and eighth floors. The two main entrances from the street lead into the atrium lobby which is open through ten stories to a rooftop skylight.[4] Floors 1-8 is office space, chambers, and courtrooms. Floor 9 is the mechanical penthouse, level P1 is the street level, and P2 is the parking garage.[9] The atrium and parking facilities were renovated again after original construction.[10][11]
Dedication
The Justice Complex was dedicated in 1982 in honor of Richard J. Hughes (August 10, 1909 – December 7, 1992).[4] Hughes served as the 45thGovernor of New Jersey from 1962 to 1970, and as Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court from 1973 to 1979. He is the only person to have served New Jersey as both Governor and Chief Justice.[12]
Public art
Public art at the complex was commissioned through the New Jersey Percent for Art Program, fulfilling a requirement in place since 1978 that every new state building include art to the value of 1.5 percent of its construction cost.[13]
Life-sized law-themed sculptures of clients and lawyers, by John Seward Johnson II, including Comprehension, are scattered throughout the complex.[14]
A 7-by-60-foot acrylic, steel, aluminum, and canvas sculptural mural by Sam Gilliam, Trenton Makes Skies Waters Spinning Wheels Red Blue, can be found in the dining room of the complex.[16]
^Raynor, Vivien (January 20, 1985). "ART; ART FROM STATE BUILDINGS". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 October 2017. Also in Trenton, the Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex has works by Beverly Pepper and Sam Gilliam, together with some vulgar effigies of businessmen in colored bronze by J. Seward Johnson Jr.
^Raynor, Vivien (January 20, 1985). "ART; ART FROM STATE BUILDINGS". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 October 2017. Also in Trenton, the Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex has works by Beverly Pepper and Sam Gilliam, together with some vulgar effigies of businessmen in colored bronze by J. Seward Johnson Jr.