Rambo Courthouse earns ABC Keystone Award

Interior finishes of one of the courtrooms in the Rambo U.S. Courthouse.

The Sylvia H. Rambo U.S. Courthouse in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was recognized by the Associated Builders and Contractors Keystone Chapter in November 2024 with an Excellence in Construction Award for the Interior Finishes over $150,000 category. The ABC Keystone program celebrates and recognizes the outstanding construction projects built by ABC Keystone chapter members in Pennsylvania and their achievements in leadership, safety, innovation, inclusion, diversity and equity. 

Opened by GSA in April 2023, the 243,000 gross square foot Rambo U.S. Courthouse was designed by Ennead Architects, constructed by Mascaro Construction Company, and the construction management services were provided by Hill International. One of Mascaro’s sub-contractors, Smucker Company of Leola, Pennsylvania, submitted the project nomination on behalf of the project team. Smucker was responsible for cold-formed metal framing, light gauge framing, rough carpentry, sheathing, drywall and finishing, plaster work and acoustical ceilings in the new courthouse. These award winning interior finishes were installed with exceptional quality, expertise and professionalism in close coordination with other trades working throughout the construction schedule.

The facility features eight courtrooms, 11 judicial chambers, a permanent display highlighting the distinguished career of the Honorable Sylvia H. Rambo, and two Art in Architecture installations. The courthouse tenants are the U.S. Court of Appeals Third Circuit; U.S. District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania; U.S. Marshals Service; U.S. Attorneys; U.S. Trustees; Homeland Security; GSA Field Office; and Federal Public Defender.

Delivered under the GSA Construction Excellence Program, this project is an example of how GSA continues to improve the project delivery process by adopting strategic business practices and procurement methodologies, while focusing on management and cost control. 

This article is part of the Winter issue of the FOCUS newsletter. Please visit the Focus Newsletter page to read our newsletter.