Solution

San Buenaventura City Hall

Ventura, CA

Service: Building Enclosure Rehabilitation
Market: Government
Keywords: Concrete, Historic, Masonry, Masonry-Terra Cotta, National Register of Historic Places, Petrography, Preservation Technology

Completion

2006
San Buenaventura City Hall
San Buenaventura City Hall

This Beaux Arts-style building was designed by Albert C. Martin.  Built in 1912, the building was used as a courthouse until 1972 when it began service as San Buenaventura City Hall.  Special features include marble floors, a domed stained glass ceiling, Doric columns, and the faces of twenty-four friars immortalized in terra-cotta.  When the city noticed water leakage and deterioration of the terra-cotta facade, they retained SGH to investigate.

Scope | Solutions

SGH developed a rehabilitation program that included restoration of the primary terra-cotta facade and secondary cement plaster facade, as well as reroofing.  Our work included the following:

  • Design of emergency and long-term repairs
  • Analysis of structural elements supporting terra-cotta
  • Laboratory testing of terra-cotta glaze and concrete
  • Development of construction documents
  • Consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office during their review of the construction documents 
  • Mockup testing and construction administration services

Upon completion of the work, the building was reviewed and approved for state historic landmark status.

Project Contact(s)

carolyn searls

Carolyn Searls