The renovation of the New York County Family Court, originally designed in 1969, transformed the once severe brutalist building into a welcoming and inviting one. The primary goals of the multi-phased project were to update the lobby, courtrooms and other interior spaces, to completely replace the building’s failing façade, and to ultimately make the structure less forbidding. To create a sense of openness and approachability, new columns were designed perpendicular to the building entry and the exterior façade was replaced with a light-colored granite and glass curtain wall. All work was completed while the building was occupied and operational.