At a Glance
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40K
Square Feet
- Location
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- Offices
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Client
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Smithsonian Institution
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Partners
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Page-Loring LLC
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Awards
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General Services Administration (GSA), Design Awards Preservation Award, 2016
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American Institute of Architects (AIA) Virginia, Award of Honor in Historic Preservation, 2015
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American Institute of Architects (AIA) DC, Design Awards Award of Excellence in Historic Resources
- Location
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- Offices
- Client
-
- Smithsonian Institution
- Partners
-
- Page-Loring LLC
- Awards
- General Services Administration (GSA), Design Awards Preservation Award, 2016
- American Institute of Architects (AIA) Virginia, Award of Honor in Historic Preservation, 2015
- American Institute of Architects (AIA) DC, Design Awards Award of Excellence in Historic Resources
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The Birch Bayh Courthouse is a work of art. Adorned with ceramic tile mosaics, stained-glass windows, and various marbles, the magnificence of the architecture is overshadowed only by the critical work taking place within its walls.
Built in 1905 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Birch Bayh Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse required extensive renovation to extend its useful life, support current needs, and meet contemporary standards for safety and accessibility. Our phased modernization of the occupied landmark helped secure it as a highly desirable, sustainable asset, improving occupant comfort and security while respecting and preserving the historic building.
Preservation analysis informed a strategic roadmap to guide decisions about equipment locations and the sensitive threading of new systems through the essential historic fabric. The team balanced energy efficiency and building performance with architectural sensitivity, ease of operations, and long-term maintenance considerations.
A new 30,000-square-foot (2,787-square-metre) vegetative roof reduces the urban heat island effect, decreases the building’s carbon footprint, and provides visual inspiration through 80,000 plants. A rainwater harvesting system enhances the building’s sustainability—over the course of a typical year, the system’s 10,000-gallon holding capacity retains and uses 270,000 gallons of rainwater for irrigation and toilet flushing in public restrooms.
The client’s broader vision for the LEED Gold courthouse inspired the design team to maximize the building's potential as a sustainable model citizen—one that gives back to its community.
" }At a Glance
-
40K
Square Feet
- Location
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- Offices
-
-
Client
-
-
Smithsonian Institution
-
-
Partners
-
-
Page-Loring LLC
-
-
Awards
-
General Services Administration (GSA), Design Awards Preservation Award, 2016
-
-
American Institute of Architects (AIA) Virginia, Award of Honor in Historic Preservation, 2015
-
-
American Institute of Architects (AIA) DC, Design Awards Award of Excellence in Historic Resources
- Location
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- Offices
- Client
-
- Smithsonian Institution
- Partners
-
- Page-Loring LLC
- Awards
- General Services Administration (GSA), Design Awards Preservation Award, 2016
- American Institute of Architects (AIA) Virginia, Award of Honor in Historic Preservation, 2015
- American Institute of Architects (AIA) DC, Design Awards Award of Excellence in Historic Resources