Period
1935
Davidson County Courthouse
Location
Nashville, Tennessee
Notables
National Register of Historic Places
HISTORICAL LEGACY
Metropolitan Nashville Davidson County Courthouse and Public Building was constructed in 1935 and is a 270,000 square foot building, with a Neoclassical facade and Art Deco interior. This significant building is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a regional landmark.
OVERVIEW
MCWB worked with local Nashville Architects Barge Waggoner Sumner & Cannon, Inc. for the renovation and restoration of the courthouse.
RESEARCH & DOCUMENTATION
The building was surveyed and programmed, revealing numerous areas of concern that included:
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Cracking and displacement of the Indiana limestone façade
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Flaking and peeling of the paint coating of the steel windows
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Subsequent surface rusting
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Cracked and broken panes of glass
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Cracking and deterioration of decorative bas-relief gold painted windows
For the interior, condition sruveys were conducted to determine the level of integrity or survival of the original architectural features for highly significant rooms such as:
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Public circulation spaces
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Courtrooms
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Representative rooms
This survey helped determine what level of restoration and preservation was needed for each space, as well as the function. Design and contract documents were then prepared for the overall restoration of the building.
REALIZATION
Many features were restored while newly designed features were introduced to complement the historic building. The courthouse was upgraded to a fully code compliant public building while respecting its historic quality.
