Falls County Courthouse

Project Type: Full Historic Restoration

Location: Marlin, Texas

Project Description

The Falls County Courthouse is a Moderne-style building that was designed by Arthur E. Thomas of Dallas, Texas in 1938 and constructed with funds from the Federal Works Agency in 1939. The Courthouse was designed for great structural integrity, with a concrete structural frame and exterior cladding of both limestone and shellstone panel veneers. The Courthouse required few upgrades over the years, apart from roof repairs and some window modifications to install unit air conditioners.

The original design for the rehabilitation and restoration effort was done in 2001 by Arthur Weinman Architects. The County commissioned Komatsu in 2019 to update the construction documents and bring the design up to current codes. Komatsu also assisted the County in applying for a Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program construction grant.

The building received a full exterior and interior restoration. The exterior masonry was cleaned, while all the interior offices and courtroom spaces were restored to reflect the original 1938 design. The HVAC, electrical,
and plumbing systems were replaced and fully upgraded.