Over the course of two visits to
the Edward W Brooke Courthouse, our class has gained a beginner’s knowledge of
the experience of interacting with Massachusetts Housing Court. While we were
prepared beforehand, and had some excellence guidance, we could also approach
the space with outsider’s eyes and a fresh perspective. One of the things that
really struck me was the contrast between the grandiose spatial procession into
the courtroom, and lack of human interaction.
After
crossing a marble-clad public space and opening heavy brass doors, members of
the public encounter security. After passing through the metal detectors, it is
entirely possible to not speak to another human until addressing a judge.
Visitors pass through a series of large, multi-height atriums, with many
climbing a large stair to a light-filled central space. These are grand,
well-designed areas. They feel befitting of a courthouse, with handsome
materials and generous proportions. But for a first-time visitor, it can be
hard to know where to go. There are very few signs. Even if there were, many
would not even know what words to look for.
There are
even less people to help guide new visitors. There are desks for guides to sit,
the most prominent being a large stone desk with monitors in the central space.
But the chairs sit empty. Paul Burke discussed the court’s various attempts to
fill this position, but the money isn’t there. This is understandable but
entering the house of justice and having no idea where to go seems averse to
the mission of the courts. The spatial characteristics of the building are set
up to ease visitors worries, but the wayfinding is not.
