HomeMy WebLinkAboutBrazos County CourthouseCOURTHOUSE AND JAIL, BRAZOS COUNTY, TEXAS
January 1957 Architectural Record
Ulric Meisel
BRAZOS COUNTY COURTHOUSE AND JAIL
150 ARCHITECTURAL RECORD JANUARY 1957
Architects: Caudill, Rowlett, Scott & Associates
Consulting Engineer: W. E. Simpson Co.
Mechanical Engineer: J. W. Hall, Jr.
UNFORTUNATELY, one is seldom able to visualize
the typical county building — most likely 50 to
100 years old — as either attractive or con-
venient. The spaces behind its usually pompous
facade are often ill - planned, poorly lighted, and
depressing for public and employes alike. Thus,
when a new county building does provide a
generous measure of both amenity and good
looks, it assumes unusual significance. The
Brazos County building so qualifies.
Its unique "campus- type" plan resulted
from extensive study of the problem (see
ARCHITECTURAL RECORD, July, 1955 for that
story). The county business and service of-
fices — clerk, taxes, health, education, and
welfare — are placed in expandable, individual
units with separate ground -floor entrances;
Interior Planning: Knoll Associates
Landscape Architect: Caldwell & Caldwell
General Contractor: A. P. Kasch & Sons
the judicial functions — jail, courts, and of-
fices — are arranged within a four -story unit
providing complete separation of lawbreakers
anfl public. The interiors are well handled,
with color schemes that are interesting with-
out being gaudy. The overall character of the
design is fresh, lively, and friendly, yet ap-
propriately dignified.
One might wish for a larger plot, so the
various units might have spread out in more
expansive fashion, with better separation and
more generous courtyards between; and with
more adequate parking for the whole. As it
stands, however, this courthouse and jail
takes a large forward step in the develop-
ment of a smoother working, more attractive
kind of public architecture.
ARCHITECTURAL RECORD JANUARY 1957 151
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The jail is located on the top
floor of the four -story building;
jury rooms, probation offices,
and civil defense on the third;
two courtrooms and ancillary
areas on the second; while the
first floor (straddling the main
walkway) houses a separated
jail entrance, judge's chamber,
commissioners' court, and
drivers' license bureau.
The five smaller one -story
units contain the following de-
partments: top left, county
health; top right, education and
extension; second left, public
welfare and veterans' service;
second right, tax assessor and
collector; bottom, county clerk,
auditor, and treasurer.
Separate auto entrances and
parking areas are provided for the
jail, county officials, and public.
Exterior walls are of red brick
and travertine; the louvers are
aluminum; the windows are
painted steel, projected type.
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FOURTii FLOOR
THIRD FLOOR
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BRAZOS COUNTY COURTHOUSE AND JAIL
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ARCHITECTURAL RECORD JANUARY 1957 153
BRAZOS COUNTY
COURTHOUSE & JAIL
In the two courtrooms shown at
left, the spectator benches are of
laminated walnut on steel frames
which are oxidized black; the
floors are asphalt tile with vinyl
base; the curtains are of white
plastic casement cloth; both rear
walls are Tuscan travertine.
The County Court, top, which
seals 80, contains black and
white linen jury chairs; blue
and black linen counsel chairs;
and a charcoal gray witness
chair.
The District Court, center,
which seats 150, contains wit-
ness and jury chairs of gray,
black, and white linen; counsel
chairs of persimmon and black
linen; and a judge's chair of
black plastic.
Note that the witness is high-
lighted by a large fixture and is
not enclosed; observation of the
witness and his movements is
considered very important.
The judge's chamber, bottom,
has walls of plaster and red
brick; judge's chair of natural
calf ;; armchairs of brown and
black wool. The desk lop is a
walnut plastic laminate on a
black frame. A rarely used
"escape door" is hidden by the
white plastic casement cloth
curtains