State picks architect of Modesto courthouse

The state has picked an architect to design the $278 million Stanislaus County Courthouse slated to open in 2016.

The Judicial Council-Administrative Office of the Courts announced Monday that Skidmore Owings and Merrill had been named as architect.

The firm has offices in San Francisco and Chicago. The project would create a full-service courthouse in Modesto to replace seven facilities.

A site for the courthouse has not been selected.