Government/Public Experience
As with nearly all forms of architecture today, government and school facility design is being shaped by advances in technology. Schnitz & Sewell recently assisted in design of one of the country's first federal "cyber" courtrooms in Houston, Texas. It is a test facility which utilizes teleconferencing motions and hearings brought by the incarcerated. The judge and court reporter are the only persons present in the "courtroom" while the district attorney and the defense attorney participate from their respective offices. More importantly, the incarcerated participates from a room within the detention facility, thus removing the chance of flight and additional expenses of transport and security.

School design is undergoing dramatic changes in terms of access to technology and increasing pressure to design healthy, learning conducive environments. Schnitz & Sewell's recent school designs incorporate fiber optic network distribution systems as well as computer labs in each classroom for intranet and internet access. Additionally, innovative design approaches have succeeded in de-humidification of required fresh air intake levels while providing a healthy and comfortable environment for varying class sizes in each room. Unique lighting controls allow for varying light levels for differing tasks while the psychological effect of colors and textures in the interior finishes are carefully considered to produce the correct environment.

Listed below are representative projects in government and public funds design.

Cayuga I.S.D. Elementary School, Bethel, Texas

Cayuga I.S.D. Facilities Analysis, Bethel, Texas

Federal Courthouse, Muskogee, Oklahoma

Immigration & Naturalization Service (INS) Detention Facility, Phoenix, Arizona

Jack Brooks Federal Building, Beaumont, Texas

Federal Courthouse, Lufkin, Texas

Bob Casey, Virtual U.S. Courthouse, Houston, Texas

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) District Offices, Dallas, Texas