Its national stature combined with its distinctive Italian Renaissance Revival architecture brought prestige to Portland's civic center.

Designed by James Knox Taylor, Supervising Architect of the U.S. Treasury Department, the courthouse's classical details complement its neighbors surrounding Lincoln Park, which include the U.S.

Courthouse was renamed in honor of Judge Edward T. Gignoux, a veteran of 26 years on the bench, who had gained notoriety when he presided over the contempt trial of activists who attempted to disrupt the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in 1968.

Courthouse's Italian Renaissance Revival style reflects its architect's belief that classicism was well suited for federal buildings.

[2] The building's trapezoidal plan occupies an entire city block bounded by Federal, Newbury, Pearl, and Market Streets.

The building's original U-shaped plan comprises the southwest portion of the block, with the 1931-32 addition completing the northeast side and enclosing the central courtyard.

[2] The building's formal entrance, located at the angled corner at Federal and Market Streets, is marked by a large, triangular pediment that surmounts a Doric frieze and engaged columns decorated with banded rustication.

The Rotunda features a curving marble staircase with a balustrade of thin cast-iron balusters, rising to the second floor along the perimeter of the room.

Interior finishes in the 1931-32 addition reveal the reduced or — stripped — classical style of the era, as seen in the abstracted designs in the terrazzo flooring and the flattened moldings used for the door framing.

Courthouse remains a fine example of early twentieth century Federal architecture and an important historic landmark in Portland.