Michael Singer Designs Sculptural Granite Security Barrier for West Palm Beach Courthouse
The Judge Daniel T.K. Hurley Courthouse in West Palm Beach, Florida, features security barriers designed by Michael Singer to prevent unauthorized vehicles from breaching the plaza grounds.
Michael Singer Designs Granite Security Barriers for Courthouse Plazas
Selected through a competition, Michael Singer designed the security installation for two plazas at the County Courthouse. The project uses public art to address the functional requirement of vehicle mitigation. The barriers on the plaza consist of massive white granite carved blocks, each weighing between 8,000 and 24,000 pounds, specifically positioned to prevent vehicles from driving through the configuration.
Additional coverage from Palm Beach County notes that the east plaza features two semi-circular forms in the forecourt that echo the courthouse entrance archways. These structures are reminiscent of ancient amphitheaters, which served as early venues for free speech and trial by peers.
Historic Quotations Inscribed on Granite Blocks
Each granite block carries inspirational quotes regarding justice, liberty, and democracy. According to Palm Beach County, judges working within the Courthouse selected the quotes for each individual piece. The inscriptions are sourced from historical documents and figures such as Aristotle, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Daniel Webster, and Dean John Henry Wilmore.
The project team for Michael Singer included David Loomis and Marcus Springer, with granite supplied by Granite Importers. Photography of the completed installation was credited to David Stansbury.
The West Plaza Pavilion
In the west plaza, the installation incorporates a granite and copper-roofed pavilion designed to provide shelter from the sun and rain. According to Palm Beach County, the structure utilizes Grey Cloud Granite, Montclair Marble, cypress wood, and copper. The pavilion features an oculus designed as a symbolic reference to the eye of justice, shedding light on a subject. The project was sponsored by Palm Beach County, selected by the County Committee for Courthouse Art, managed by the Palm Beach Cultural Council, and completed in 2003.
Disclaimer: The views and cultural analyses presented in this article are for informational and entertainment purposes only. Information regarding legal disputes or financial data is based on available public records.