Research summary: Intimidating Buildings: Can Courthouse Architecture Affect Perceived Likelihood of Conviction?

The goal of this study was to examine whether court buildings can be perceived as intimidating and if they affect the mental processes of users vis-à-vis their expectations of trial outcomes. The study compared reactions of the public to a new courthouse designed along principles of the modernistic era and an old courthouse building with a traditional Italian style.

This research summary, prepared by the AIA Academy of Architecture for Justice (AAJ) in 2012, includes implications for design practice and is adapted from:
Authors: Maass A., Associate Professor, Padua University, Italy; Merici I., Master’s Student, Department of Psychology, Padua University, Italy; Villafranca E., Master’s Student, Department of Psychology, Padua University, Italy; Furlani R., Student, Department of Psychology, Padua University, Italy; Gaburro E., Student, Department of Psychology, Padua University, Italy; Getrevi A., Student, Department of Psychology, Padua University, Italy; Masserini M., Student, Department of Psychology, Padua University, Italy
Article Title: Intimidating Buildings: Can Courthouse Architecture Affect Perceived Likelihood of Conviction?
Publisher: Sage Publications, Inc.
Publication: Environment Behavior
Publication Type: Peer-reviewed
Date of Publication: 2000
Volume: 32
Issue: 5
Pages: 674-683
Country of Study: Italy
Search Related Keywords: Justice Architecture; Justice Design; Courthouse Form; Courthouse;
Courthouse Style; Perception; Cognition