Polk County Historic Courthouse Interior Renovation
Polk County Historic Courthouse Interior Renovation
Polk County Historic Courthouse Interior Renovation
Polk County Historic Courthouse Interior Renovation

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

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