Giles County Courthouse Facilities Condition Assessment
Giles County, TN
Pulaski, TN
Condition assessment captures rich imagery and data that inform renovation of historic community landmark
The Giles County Courthouse is one of the most picturesque courthouses in Tennessee but had its share of problems. The exterior was showing signs of decline. County employees were noticing moisture infiltration issues. Waterlines and heating and cooling equipment needed improvements. A rehabilitation would improve the structure’s accessibility, systems, and functionality. As the first step, the county commissioned a facilities condition assessment to help evaluate and prioritize the renovations.
The facilities condition assessment called for a thorough evaluation of the courthouse’s structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems and a variety of considerations related to safety and accessibility. However, no existing floorplans or drawings existed for the courthouse, and its abundance of hard-to-reach areas—from tight spaces to tall, open areas —created a challenging scenario for gathering data for the facilities assessment.
To address these challenges, OHM Advisors recommended an innovative surveying approach that applied a variety of technology and techniques. OHM Advisors used three types of light detection and ranging scanners, each with a unique purpose. For example, a scanner with simultaneous localization and mapping technology allowed surveyors to access data in tight areas, like above ceiling tiles and behind piping. In addition, OHM Advisors used a drone to collect imagery both around and above the courthouse. The resulting resource of imagery and data helped improve efficiency and inform the solutions and workplans of the architects, engineers, and contractors as they renovated the structure.
Prior to the Giles County Courthouse condition assessment, the building that encompassed more than a century of history was deteriorating and lacked plans that documented its layout and architecture. By taking a detailed approach to the assessment, OHM Advisors helped the county preserve its courthouse—and details of its construction—for years to come.
Project highlights: surveying, historic preservation, laser scanning, 360 photography, facilities condition assessment, structural evaluation, rehabilitation
OHM Advisors’ collaborative approach and innovative use of survey and mapping technology helped Giles County effectively tackle long-overdue upgrades to our historic courthouse. The outcomes are a critical component to meeting our ultimate vision of a rehabilitated structure while providing us with a detailed database that will benefit us years into the future.
