Polk County Historic Courthouse

[{"body":{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[],"sections":[[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The restoration of Des Moines\u2019 historic Polk\nCounty Courthouse represents the final phase of a multi-year plan to shape a\nnew courts campus in the city\u2019s downtown core. Two additional buildings, the\nPolk County Justice Center and the Polk County Criminal Courts, both recently\nrenovated buildings, sit adjacent to the original 1906 courthouse to form a new\ncenter of justice, dignity, and safety. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The historic courthouse was designed by the\ncelebrated Des Moines firm Proudfoot and Bird and served the Fifth Judicial\nDistrict for nearly 120 years. It is one of the few remaining Beaux-Arts style buildings\nin the region. As Polk County\u2019s needs have evolved over the last century,\ndemands on its courtroom spaces catalyzed short-term solutions that lasted much\nlonger than intended. Numerous superficial repairs and alterations were undertaken\nwithout consideration of the courthouse\u2019s historical context. Its renovation gives\nthe building new life while restoring its original architecture and details. "]]],[1,"blockquote",[[0,[],0,"\u201cWhat stands out is the courthouse\u2019s longevity, being on its second or third life. The approach to its restoration was very well done, and it has a presence that demands respect. It is also amazing that the team could maintain the court\u2019s full operation during the span of the project.\u201d - Jury comment"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The team split its restoration into two phases\nto maintain essential court functions during construction. The project\u2019s first\nphase focused on revitalizing the courthouse\u2019s exterior limestone and metal as\nwell as overall site improvements. Its second phase was staggered across four\nyears to ensure continued operation as its interior was restored to its\noriginal grandeur while also meeting the demands of a 21st-century courthouse. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The team removed dropped ceilings throughout\nthe building to unveil original ornate plaster molding in serious disrepair. In\neach of the original six courtrooms, more than 100 years of smoke, dirt, and\ngrime were scrubbed from the existing marble, terrazzo flooring, and woodwork.\nOnce the team removed the patchwork tile ceilings, carpet, and paint, it\nconducted historically accurate plaster repairs and restored the original paint\nschemes. The original light fixtures were retrofitted with efficient LEDs, and\nnew lighting was added to showcase the courthouse\u2019s rotunda, lobby ceilings,\nand artwork. Historic furniture was also salvaged and restored, including the\njudges\u2019 benches."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"In other areas that were not fully restored,\nthe team integrated adaptations to create contemporary courtrooms that honor\nthe existing architecture, creating a new layout that shapes flexible and just\ncourtroom use. This strategy also allows the state to schedule more cases\nacross fewer courtrooms and adds spaces for users to hold private conferences, which\nwasn\u2019t possible before. Numerous functional and safety challenges were\naddressed by replacing all of the courthouse\u2019s mechanical, plumbing, and\nelectrical systems. Audio-visual upgrades have also propelled the courthouse\ninto the modern age. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Finally, the team reorganized the dedicated\ndetainee circulation, separating it from the courthouse staff, judges, and public\nand aligning it with current best practices. Doing so, and integrating the\ncirculation with the original architecture, has bolstered security and safety\nfor all courthouse users. "]]]]},"title":"Project Highlights"},{"body":{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[["a",["href","https:\/\/www.aia.org\/resources\/6077668-framework-for-design-excellence","target","_new"]],["strong"],["em"]],"sections":[[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"AIA Framework for Design Excellence"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The "],[0,[0],1,"AIA Framework for Design Excellence"],[0,[],0," represents the defining principles of good design in the 21st century. Comprised of 10 principles and accompanied by searching questions, the Framework seeks to inform progress toward a zero-carbon, equitable, resilient, and healthy built environment."]]],[1,"p",[]],[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Design for Integration"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Was there a design charrette? "],[0,[],0,"Yes"]]],[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Design for Equitable Communities"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Level of community engagement:"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"* Empower: Stakeholders were provided with opportunities to\nmake decisions for the project\n."]]],[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Design for Ecosystems"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Site area that supported vegetation (landscape or green roof) pre-development: "],[0,[],0,"71%"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Site area that supports vegetation post-development: "],[0,[],0,"71%"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Site area covered by native plants supporting native or migratory species and pollinators:"],[0,[],0," 26%"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Strategies used to promote Design for Ecosystems:"],[0,[],0," Dark\nskies, Soil conservation, Habitat conservation, flora\/fauna"]]],[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Design for Water"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Is potable water used for irrigation?"],[0,[],0," No"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Is potable water used for cooling?"],[0,[],0," No"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Is grey\/blackwater reused on-site?"],[0,[],0," No"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Is rainwater collected on-site?"],[0,[],0," No"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Stormwater managed on-site:"],[0,[],0," 80%"]]],[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Design for Energy"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"2030 Commitment baseline EUI:"],[0,[],0," 87 kBtu\/sf\/yr"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Predicted net EUI including on-site renewables:"],[0,[],0," 33 kBtu\/sf\/yr"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Reduction from the benchmark: "],[0,[],0,"62 %"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Is the project all-electric?"],[0,[],0," No"]]],[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Design for Well-being"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Level of air filters installed: "],[0,[],0,"MERV 12-14"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Was a \u201cchemicals of concern\u201d list used to inform material selection?"],[0,[],0," Yes"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Do greater than 90% of occupied spaces have a direct view to the outdoors? "],[0,[],0,"Yes"]]],[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Design for Resources"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Were embodied carbon emissions estimated for this project?"],[0,[],0," Yes"]]],[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Design for Change"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Estimated service life: 200 "],[0,[],0,"years"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Floor area, if any, representing adapting existing buildings:"],[0,[],0," 100%"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Ability to survive without utility power:"],[0,[],0," Partial\nback-up power"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Risk assessment and resilience services provided: "],[0,[],0,"Hazard identification,\nClimate change risk, Building vulnerability assessment"]]],[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Design for Discovery"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Has a post-occupancy evaluation been conducted? "],[0,[],0,"No, but a POE will be conducted."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Building performance transparency steps taken:"]]],[3,"ul",[[[0,[],0,"Present the\ndesign, outcomes, and\/or lessons learned to the office,."]],[[0,[],0,"Present the design, outcomes, and\/or lessons learned\nto the public."]]]],[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Disclaimer"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[2],1,"This information is being provided as a convenience and has been prepared by third parties. It is provided for informational purposes only. Providing this material does not constitute an endorsement or approval by AIA of any of the information. AIA bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality, or content of this information. Please use at your own discretion."]]]]},"title":"Framework for Design Excellence"}]