Monday, September 04, 2006

Justice Has No Windows



The L.A. Times is running a series this week on ground-level justice. Today's article (and tomorrow's article) features a Norwalk, California public defender.

The picture to the left is of the Norwalk courthouse, circa 1968, in all her windowless glory. The lack of natural light in lots of courthouses can do as much of a number on our psyches as our caseloads. Research shows that daylight is both good for our mood and our productivity. The sustainable concept of "daylighting" is the very green backlash to buildings like the Norwalk Courthouse. Luckily the future looks bright for courthouses: Check out the Arraj Federal Courthouse in Denver.

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