as defined by the THCPP. Both the land- The Restoration of Texas Courthouses mark designation and the funding source By Stephen H. Lucy, PE trigger the highest level of regulatory oversight possible. The Standards also dictate that historic materials be preserved wherever possible, and, where new infrastructure is incor- porated, that it be done in as seamless® a manner as possible. Every effort must be made to preserve the original design, ap- pearance and workmanship of the build- ing to the last detail. In the case of adding new structural components, they may be designed with modern materials and techniques, but the structural system must support overlying finishes that match the historic design Copyright and detail. For the restoration process to be suc- cessful, the architect, structural engineer and other consultants must work closely together to find ways to integrate new systems as discreetly as possible. Furthermore, the restoration itself typi- cally relies on various funding sources, which include local community fund- raising efforts with additional funding through ISTEA (Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act) and TEA21 (Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century), as administered by the Texas Department of Transportation Texas leads the nation in its collection of historic county (TxDOT). On average, an historic court- courthouses, both in terms of architectural interest and sheer house restoration project budget will be quantity. Because of themagazine state’s size and many counties, approximately in the low millions and may range high- 400 courthouses were built in the late 1800s and early 1900s, er, depending upon scope of work. Proj- S followingT Texas’R independence Ufrom Mexico in 1836.C Today, theseT Uects require a highlyR coordinated E effort landmark structures stand in various stages of repair. to ensure successful completion within the limited budgets available. As the seat of county government, the Restoration Process Case Study: Texas courthouse has become an icon of of a State Archeological The Ellis County Courthouse, Texas’ independent spirit and served as Waxahachie, Texas a community anchor for patriotic cel- Landmark ebrations, political rallies, picnics, con- The Ellis County Courthouse in The restoration of the Ellis County Waxahachie, Texas is designated as a Courthouse was significant because it TRUCTURES certs and other community events. Texas courthouses also represent some of the State Archeological Landmark (SAL). As is considered one of the grand dames best work of highly-regarded architects of an SAL, every aspect of the restoration of courthouses in the Southwest. El- S their times: W.C. Dodson, Alfred Giles work, both interior and exterior of the lis County encompasses a population of and James Riely Gordon to name a few. courthouse, is subject to review and ap- 111,360 based on the 2000 Census. The In 1998, the National Trust for His- proval by the State Historic Preservation town of Waxahachie, the county’s seat, is toric Preservation in Washington, DC, Office (SHPO). All projects are reviewed known as “The Gingerbread City” for its added Texas’ historic courthouses to its for conformance with The Secretary of large collection of 19th century Victorian “11 Most Endangered Historic Places” the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment homes and buildings. Approximately 20 list, which prompted then Governor of Historic Properties (www.cr.nps.gov/ percent of these structures are listed in George W. Bush to make courthouse hps/tps/standguide/index.htm). the National Register of Historic Places preservation a priority. The Governor’s From an architectural and historic in Texas. initiative led to the establishment of the preservation standpoint, the regulatory As the centerpiece of this collection and one of the most significant courthouses ISTORIC Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation processes are considerable. In addition to Program (THCPP), administered today following the guidelines of an SAL des- in the Southwest, restoration of the Ellis through the Texas Historical Commis- ignation, Texas courthouse restorations County Courthouse was considered vital highlighting significant structures of the past H sion for funding and stewardship. must conform to regulations and reviews to the local community and the state offi- from the Texas Historical Commission, cials who administer the grant program. STRUCTURE magazine 42 November 2006 The Ellis County Courthouse, a James Ri- Code-required changes incorporated in the ely Gordon design, was built in 1895. The Ellis County Courthouse restoration plans structure itself incorporates a Richardsonian included providing ADA ramp access, a sec- Romanesque architectural style that was origi- ond egress stair, an elevator, areas of refuge, a nally developed by Boston architect Henry smoke evacuation system, sub-grade areaways Hobson Richardson. Gordon on the exterior for air intake, adapted the design style and and installing OSHA-com- popularized it throughout Tex- pliant ladders and catwalks PRESENTS ® as. The $11 million restoration for access to attic and bell THE LATEST project was led by a team that tower equipment. STEEL DECK included preservation-based ar- These code-required in- chitects from ARCHITEXAS stallations were carefully DESIGN INFORMATION... and the engineering firm of designed to have minimal Jaster-Quintanilla/Dallas. Small interior hallway impact on the historic ap- The restoration effort ad- pearance. In cases where new dressed each of the exterior elevations of the elements were entirely visible, the elements Courthouse. Texas courthouses were built were designed to be as visually unobtrusive with four equally prominent facades that en- as possible.Copyright For example, building codes re- sured that businesses on all four sides of the quired the installation of a new elevator and NEW! square were at the “front door.” No business fire exit stair. had the disadvantage of being “behind” the These elements were installed in secondary courthouse. This fact is no less pertinent to- areas and arranged in a manner that had very day than it was at the time of the courthouse’s little visual impact on important historic construction. spaces, such as the rotunda and courtrooms. When a new element is visible, it is designed – For Advertiser ADVERTISEMENT Information, visit Key Engineering Challenges to be compatible with the historic building, The Third Edition, DDMO3, of the SDI Challenge # 1 – but clearly discernable as new construction. Complying with Codes in The goal is to ensure the average visitor to the Diaphragm Design Manual continues an Historic Context building can easily differentiate the historic the evolution of building shear The most critical aspect of this restoration elements from the new. resistance presented in the First and project was the ability of the engineering firm Second Editions of this manual. to be responsive to the historical context of Challenge # 2 – Reconstructing and/or Correcting Structural Conditions Based on the 2004 Supplement of the 2001 North the building. The majority of the structural American Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members. design components required for the Ellis Historic courthouse restorations have www.STRUCTUREmag.org structural issues that fall into four primary Outlines the method developed to calculate the capacity County Courthouse and other courthousemagazine of diaphragms using steel roof decks or composite floor projects are related to the reconstruction and/ categories: decks and explains the use of the diaphragm load tables. or replication of historical elements, and the 1. Correction of structural flaws in the Diaphragm tables can be used with either the S T R U C T Uallowable stress design (ASD)R or load and resistance E integration of contemporary code-compliant original design, factor design (LRFD) methods. MEP systems. 2. Reconstruction of missing Over 130 pages of diaphragm tables using welds, The historical integrity of the building is historic elements, screws and other mechanical fasteners. the primary factor guiding every aspect of the 3. Correction of structural problems Example problems for ASD and LRFD design. design. Compromises are made only where caused by inadequate maintenance, and Equations to check fasteners for the combined effect of the safety of the building and its occupants are 4. Modifications necessary to allow for shear and tension. at risk. In such cases, the design solution must the integration of new mechanical, be one that has the least visual impact on the electrical, plumbing, technological, or egress systems. REVIEWS ARE FANTASTIC! original design. A comprehensive resource manual Although modern building codes have One of the more challenging aspects of for the design profession! codified provisions for historic structures, as the Ellis County Courthouse project was the typical with many code re- reconstruction of the his- ORDER YOUR COPY quirements there is often toric courtroom balcony. In TODAY at flexibility of interpretation. a previous remodel of this www.sdi.org There are fine lines between courthouse in the 1940s, what is considered a restora- an intermediate floor was tion and what is considered a added to the original two- renovation, and through ex- story courtroom to create perience one must learn how more office space. Add- to negotiate the application ing this new floor required of today’s code requirements. Second-floor courtroom with gallery the removal of the original