Celli-Flynn Brennan - Architects & Planners
Somerset, PA
The Somerset County Courthouse, built in 1906, needed to renovate the Italianate building in order to meet modern fire safety and handicapped accessibility codes. The Somerset County Commissioners hired CFB in 2000 to renovate the building and complete the project design. The restoration and renovation project began in April 2002 and finished in July 2003, maintaining occupancy through the period of construction.
Due to increasing demands, the county needed a third courtroom in addition to the other two courtrooms. As the county had recently constructed a new building to house many offices, a new interior configuration was designed that replaced the former Recorder of Deeds office, the former commissioners' offices, and other spaces, with a third courtroom and expanded row offices. Inserting the new courtroom in the building had to be carefully designed to meet not only technology requirements but to maintain and respect the building's landmark status.
Major systems in the building were completely redesigned, including HVAC, electrical, fire protection, and plumbing. Interior surfaces were restored, including the Italian marble, rotunda and monumental stair, while historic light fixtures were refurbished with new wiring and finishes. All courtrooms were restored and now incorporate modern technology for the presentation of evidence. The existing rooms required restoration of finishes and introduction of new code-compliant architecture and systems. The new courtroom was in the area of the Recorder of Deeds office and vault. This new room maintains the architectural integrity of the historic courthouse.
The renovated Courthouse Building contains the following offices: Clerk of Courts; Register of Wills & Clerk of Orphan's Court; Prothonotary; Hearing Master; District Attorney; Law Library; Somerset County Courts; Court Administrator, and Sheriff's Office.