Polk County Courthouse Interior Renovation
LOCATION
Des Moines, Iowa
AREA
37,000 GSF
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Originally built in 1906, the Beaux-Arts-style Polk County courthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. It underwent a multi-phase renovation that began with the exterior, completed in 2015. The next, much larger phase focused on the interior renovation, which was completed in 2022.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
- Replaced the HVAC system resulting in higher occupant comfort with low energy costs.
- Designed individual control and ventilation in the courtrooms and judge’s chambers provided by a dedicated outside air system incorporating energy recovery.
- Designed plumbing systems, including domestic water heaters, throughout the building for increased efficiency and modernization.
- Electrical service throughout the facility was upgraded, including distribution panels.
- Retro-fitted existing, historic light fixtures to LED and provided new, custom fixtures to replicate historic light fixtures.
- LED luminaries were installed for architectural façade lighting, including ground-mounted flood lights, building-mounted flood lights, and in-grade-mounted luminaries.
- Faster, more efficient communication and data sharing were accomplished by creating telecommunications spaces and a complete optical fiber system.
Photography credit: OPN Architects