When I've finally visited and photographed ALL 254 Texas county courthouses I intend to create pages on this website devoted to catagorising the courthouses by decades, style, and architects. Actually, I've already created a few lists of architects and their courthouses: Gordon, Phelps, Heiner and Curtis.
This past Sunday, August 19, I re-visited Collin and Rockwall counties, specifically their new courthouses. This got me to thinking about the courthouses I've seen that were designed and constructed in the 21st Century. Five come to mind: Collin, Fort Bend, Galveston, Rockwall and Zapata counties. (Midland County occupied a new building recently, but it's truly a rehab of an existing 1980's era office building.) There will be others, I'm sure, and I will eventually see them all. For now, I want to share a photo of each of the five county courthouses listed above and discuss the recent direction courthouse design is taking in Texas.
This past Sunday, August 19, I re-visited Collin and Rockwall counties, specifically their new courthouses. This got me to thinking about the courthouses I've seen that were designed and constructed in the 21st Century. Five come to mind: Collin, Fort Bend, Galveston, Rockwall and Zapata counties. (Midland County occupied a new building recently, but it's truly a rehab of an existing 1980's era office building.) There will be others, I'm sure, and I will eventually see them all. For now, I want to share a photo of each of the five county courthouses listed above and discuss the recent direction courthouse design is taking in Texas.
Collin County Courthouse, McKinney. 2007
Houston based PGAL was the architect for this "neo-classical" style courthouse for rapidly growing Collin County. Located on a large, previously undeveloped property on the west side of US Highway 75, the 300,000 square foot, 4 story building reminds me of a big box store at a suburban mall. It's front facade is carefully designed, or decorated, to quickly identify it to drivers as they approach across vast expanses of parking lots. This is county government and justice as a franchise. The courthouse no longer needs to "anchor" a public square in the center of town. Rather, the 21st Century courthouse is at exit 42 on the freeway, with easy on/off ramps and plenty of free parking. What's lost is the connection to a traditional public space, a courthouse square. In the 21st century version, the anchor is just another development.
Fort Bend County Justice Center, Richmond. 2011
PGAL also designed the new Fort Bend County "Justice Center" on a site in the rapidly growing Houston suburb of Richmond. The property also inlcudes the County Jail, Sheriff's Offices, other county buildings and a parking garage. At just 265,000 square feet, this 4 story building is smaller than Collin County (by a little) but it is the same "neo-classical" style applied to a contemporary building. Like the Collin County courthouse, this is government as a stand alone destination, removed from any particular historic relationship to the county it serves and represents. At least the Fort Bend County building is part of a government compound and is oriented towards the Brazos River, the 19th century "highway" of this area.
By the way, Fort Bend County's earlier courthouse and another courts building remain in downtown Richmond.
By the way, Fort Bend County's earlier courthouse and another courts building remain in downtown Richmond.
Galveston County Courts Building, Galveston. 2011
Galveston County long ago demolished its historic courthouse. A 1966 courthouse is still is use in Galveston, but it is too small to serve the needs of the growing county. The 2011 Courts Building, by Bay Architects, is closer to the mainland via I-45, which terminates on Galveston Island, not far from the Justice Center. The facility includes the Courts Building, a Sheriff's Office and County Jail. The facade of the Courts Building is designed in a what I'll call a "post-modern" style. This site is also intended to be more easily accessible for drivers and offers plenty of parking and easy access to the freeway.
Rockwall County Courthouse, Rockwall. 2011
I understand "little" Rockwall County is the fastest growing county in the state. Brinkley Sargent Architects designed this new courthouse on land adjacent to the County Library, on the north side of I-30. Clad in brick, this neo-classical edifice is the most "substantial" courthouse of the five 21st Century buildings I've seen. There are actually two pedimented fronts on this courthouse, but only one is an entrance. Here's a bonus photograph of the building as seen from across the freeway.
In South Texas, on the banks of the Rio Grande River, is the new Zapata County courthouse. Designed by Morgan Spear Associates, it opened in 2005. Built on a hill, it has a commanding presence in this relatively small town. The style is neo-historic and combines regional touches with a vaguely neo-classical plan. Unfortunately, the dome is not tall enough to be appreciated at close distances from the building.
Zapata County Courthouse, Zapata. 2005
Clearly, architects are trending towards historic styles for county courthouses. This is in stark contrast to the "modern" designs utlized from the middle of the 20th century through the 1970's. As I've stated before in these pages, the 1970's were the low point of architectural design, at least for Texas courthouses. Since then the state has promoted restoration of historic courthouses and I believe this has raised public and professional awareness of these older buildings.
However, as we move into a new century counties are once again building new courthouses and architects are trying to provide designs that are, shall we say, appropriate. I don't think we've yet found an appropriate contemporary style that reflects our current conditions rather than masking new buildings with trappings of historic styles. On the other hand, these five courthouses are far and away better, or at least less offensive, than those of the mid to late 20th century.
Here's hoping someday a Texas county is willing to work with an architect and landscape architect to create something other than a "decorated shed." Perhaps Hidalgo County will be the one?
However, as we move into a new century counties are once again building new courthouses and architects are trying to provide designs that are, shall we say, appropriate. I don't think we've yet found an appropriate contemporary style that reflects our current conditions rather than masking new buildings with trappings of historic styles. On the other hand, these five courthouses are far and away better, or at least less offensive, than those of the mid to late 20th century.
Here's hoping someday a Texas county is willing to work with an architect and landscape architect to create something other than a "decorated shed." Perhaps Hidalgo County will be the one?
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