HomeMy WebLinkAboutCourthouse and Jail, Brazos County, Texas, 1957 Architectural RecordCOURTHOUSE 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