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Preserving a historical courthouse

CASE STUDY

Henry County Judicial Center

Henry County’s courthouse was originally built in the 1860s, and while the county needed significantly more space to accommodate a growing population, there was strong interest within the community to retain the existing location and much of the facility which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

JRA Architects conducted a feasibility study that affirmed the location and began the process of REIMAGINING THE SPACE while preserving as many of the existing courthouse features as possible.

perspectives

“An incredible amount of time, research, and detail was given to this job by JRA… I am so pleased with the work done and so excited for the citizens of Henry County to have an absolutely stunning structure in the New Castle town square.”

Henry Chief Circuit Judge Karen Conrad

OUR OBJECTIVES

Expand Courthouse Capacity

Henry County’s population growth resulted in a need to increase the judicial center’s space by almost 350% while retaining its presence on a 1.2-acre parcel of land in the heart of downtown New Castle.

Preserve an Architectural Treasure

To maintain features of the building’s heritage within the new facility, JRA preserved the original jailhouse façade and visibly integrated it into the space by exposing its exterior walls within the courtroom.

Integrate Energy-efficient Technology

To create a more sustainable, eco-friendly space, we reworked all electrical and mechanical functions with dedicated controls set to occupancy sensors and schedules, installed insulated glass systems, and reconfigured the insulation and ventilation for better performance.

Enhance Building Security

To ensure public safety and the separation of prisoners and citizens of the community, we reorganized the first floor to include a secure building-entrance screening station, new Court Designated Worker and Drug Court office suites, and a bailiff monitoring station.

WE DELIVERED A TRANSFORMATIONAL JUDICIAL CENTER FOR HENRY COUNTY, PRESERVING WHAT WAS CONSIDERED A “SACRED SPACE” IN THE COMMUNITY.

THROUGH
Restoration

THROUGH
Architectural
Details

THROUGH
Preservation

The new space features all that’s expected in a modern judicial center...

Improved building accessibility with symmetrical ADA-compliant ramps.

Integration of sloped, theater-style courthouse seating for optimal visibility.

Retention of the original courthouse aesthetics by preserving brick masonry and restoring architectural millwork details.

But what excites us most is

PRESERVING MUCH OF AN 1876 ARCHITECTURAL LEGACY WHILE DELIVERING THE COMMUNITY A MORE FUNCTIONAL JUDICIAL CENTER.

perspectives

“When JRA is presented an opportunity to fuse the disciplines of historic preservation and civic architecture, I always raise my hand to help. Our work on behalf of Henry County checked both boxes, and we delivered a new, more functional space while preserving much of the original building’s heritage.”

Tim Graviss
AIA, Vice President, JRA Architects

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At JRA, we celebrate architectural legacies. Ready to start a conversation about your civic or municipal spaces?

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