Preserving a Historic Landmark While Improving Comfort, Performance and Longevity

After more than 35 years of service, the windows at the Boone County Courthouse had reached the end of their useful life. Drafts, leaks, cracked glass and deteriorating wood frames created ongoing maintenance challenges, while many windows were no longer operable. County leaders recognized it was time for a long-term solution that would improve building performance while preserving one of the community's most recognizable landmarks.

As a historic courthouse, the project required more than simply replacing the 124 windows. The design needed to improve energy efficiency and occupant comfort while meeting historic preservation requirements.

The Solution

As Boone County's Facilities Director, Max Mendenhall led the courthouse window replacement project for the County. Recognizing the project required specialized expertise, Mendenhall partnered with Etica Group to provide design, bidding assistance and construction administration from start to finish.

The project team developed detailed construction documents, coordinated the historic review process and remained actively involved during construction to help maintain quality and minimize surprises.

Reflecting on the decision to bring in a design partner, Mendenhall said:

"I had tried to handle it on my own and realized it was bigger than I could do."

Working alongside Brandt Construction, Etica Group helped deliver a successful project while allowing County staff to stay focused on their day-to-day responsibilities.

Mendenhall credits Etica Group's Project Manager, Don Higgins, with helping the County navigate construction with confidence.

"Don Higgins was amazing and made it easier. It allowed us to be hands off and focus on other things."

The Results

The completed project transformed both the appearance and functionality of the courthouse. Employees now benefit from a more comfortable workspace with operable windows and reduced drafts, while the County has significantly lowered long-term maintenance needs.

The improvements also earned praise from the community.

"A lot of times when we spend money, the public is very critical. With such a prominent building in the community, we got a lot of feedback that was positive."

Project Highlights

• Replaced aging 124 courthouse windows with modern, energy-efficient systems

• Restored select historic windows beneath the dome

• Reduced long-term maintenance requirements

• Improved occupant comfort with operable windows

• Preserved the courthouse's historic character

• Received overwhelmingly positive public feedback

Client Perspective

Looking back, Mendenhall believes having an experienced consultant was one of the project's biggest advantages.

"We didn't have the experience to write a good construction RFQ or cover all the details ourselves. We wanted quality bids up front and didn't want to deal with a lot of contractor questions or change orders."

His advice to other counties is straightforward:

"Partner with someone who has experience with historic buildings. Things come up with older buildings, and you don't know what you don't know if you haven't worked with them before."

Project Information

Client: Boone County, Indiana

Location: Lebanon, Indiana

Facility: Boone County Courthouse

Services Provided: Architectural Design, Historic Coordination, Bidding Assistance and Construction Administration

Construction Cost: Approximately $1.3 Million