Florida International University, The Diaz-Balart Hall School of Law, Miami, Florida

The goal of HADP on the project was to build on the contemporary Florida architectural style of the campus using simple and economical building massing and materials while introducing a new standard of appropriate  “Judicial” formality to the interiors of the building in order to set the building apart from Aiken elite professional law school program.

HADP Architecture led the design team in a Joint Venture with Robert A.M. Stern Architects, New York, and was selected by Florida International University to design and construct the University’s new College of Law to be built on the University Park Campus in Miami. The establishment of the New College of Law at the University created the need to build a permanent facility to house the College’s academic program.

The College of Law Building is situated on the FIU University Park Campus, inside the loop road, east of the Golden Panther Arena. The facility includes an auditorium, teaching laboratories, a law study, instructional media, student academic support spaces, offices, and campus support services. The total gross square footage of the project is approximately 151,368 s.f.

Nearly 50% of the assignable space sought for the College of Law building will be allocated to the Law Library. In addition to shelf space for books, the library provides study space for law students - tables, carrels, and small group study rooms - as well as technology access in computer laboratories and other dedicated areas, providing areas of offices for library personnel. Instructional space will occupy the next largest space in the law building. This Building Design includes traditional tiered large, small and seminar teaching laboratories; two courtrooms, which includes judges benches and jury boxes, with shared jury room adjacent; and a legal clinic, where students will leave the practice of law hands-on, meeting with and representing clients from the community under faculty supervision. Co-curricular space will include office suites for the FIU Law Review and the Student Board of Advocates. Office space is provided for faculty and administration; a small amount of office space will also be required for student organizations like the Student Bar Association. Space for student lounges, vending areas and locker facilities are also included to meet the students’ needs during their long hours spent at the law school.