Ralph Regula Federal Center

Designing a facility to securely house five different federal agencies and suit their distinct needs

The GSA selected Bowen to design this facility through their Design Excellence Program. The design incorporates the space requirements of five federal user-groups: The U.S. Bankruptcy Court, U.S. Trustees, U.S. Marshals, the Internal Revenue Service and the Social Security Administration. Bowen employed not only our experience with federal courthouse requirements, but also studied the architectural vocabulary of the surrounding community. These components come together in a LEED Silver-certified, state-of-the-art landmark civic facility in the heart of downtown Canton.

Each agency requires varying levels of protection, but the building needed to be approachable and accessible to the public. Bowen placed the lobby at the convergence of the building’s two wings, creating a single access point where each agency carries out its particular screening procedures for visitors. Agency symbols mounted above entry doors provide simple wayfinding cues to each section of the building.

Bollards and other anti-terrorism force protection (ATFP) features establish a no-vehicle envelope around the building. The site plan accommodates secure and public parking. A public courtyard provides greenspace and creates a clear pathway for visitors to the main entrance.