Wilkes-Barre, PA

Luzerne County Courthouse

Scope/Solutions

For years, the Classic Revival courthouse was plagued by damaged interior finishes from water leaks and deteriorating exterior sandstone facades. After limited restoration campaigns addressed portions of the building’s exterior, the county received a Keystone Grant to secure funds for restoring the courthouse. SGH performed a condition assessment and developed a rehabilitation program to extend the useful life of the courthouse.

SGH used industrial rope access inside the multi-story rotunda to perform a hands-on condition assessment of the plaster-clad dome featuring mosaics and frescoes depicting the county’s history. We also performed an exterior condition assessment using a mechanical lift and binoculars. SGH designed a comprehensive exterior rehabilitation, including the following:

  • Waterproofing repairs to the terra-cotta-clad domes
  • A new skylight with flashing details and a replica finial at the top of the dome
  • Sandstone masonry repairs at the central drum and other areas around the building
  • Portico roof replacement

SGH provided construction administration services for all phases of the project. We worked closely with the contractor to evaluate existing conditions as they were uncovered and develop solutions to address unforeseen conditions.

Project Summary

completion-date

2013

Completion Date
Solutions
Repair & Rehabilitation | Preservation
Services
Building Enclosures | Structures
Markets
Government
Client(s)
Luzerne County
Specialized Capabilities
Repair & Strengthening | Condition Assessments | Preservation | Roofing & Waterproofing

Key team members

Niklas Vigener
Niklas Vigener
Chief Technical Officer