The historic Metro Nashville and Davidson County courthouse is the crown jewel of downtown Nashville. The center of Metro government, it rests on the public square overlooking the Cumberland River. BWSC was chosen to lead the design team to restore the exterior and lobbies to their original art deco splendor and to completely reconstruct the interior of the 1936 building, bringing it up to date on security, fire protection, ADA accessibility, ventilation and energy management.

BWSC responsibilities included coordinating the temporary relocation of the building's inhabitants (judges, courts, mayor, staffs) into custom-designed space at MetroCenter, an office park three miles to the north.BWSC also led the related project to create a public space worthy of the city's center and the gleaming, newly restored courthouse. Public Square Plaza, designed by BWSC, is a park with a central lawn, fountains, gardens, public art and plantings resting atop a five-level underground parking garage—also designed by BWSC.

The 270,400-SF, 11-story courthouse, originally designed during the 1930s by architects Frederick Hirons of New York and Emmons Woolwine of Nashville, received new mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems, security enhancements (including new secure elevators and stairways), life safety, office and administrative spaces, and finishes. Lobby areas, courtrooms and the central stairway were restored.

A challenge for the mechanical and electrical engineers was routing ventilation ductwork and controls throughout a building that was not originally centrally cooled. In most cases, this was accomplished without lowering the ceilings in spite of the low floor-to-floor heights.

To allow judges secure access from the parking garage to their chambers, two column bays were removed from the basement to the roof and new elevators were installed. Secure parking and access were also provided for the mayor.

Key points
Total interior reconstruction and exterior restoration of 1936 courthouse
Security upgraded to allow secure access for judges and public officials
New public square plaza above new five-level parking garage for 1200 cars
Total cost, including plaza and parking garage, was $75 million
Related BWSC project was design for interim courts during construction
Public Square received 2007 Award for Best Non-Building Structure by the Tennessee Concrete Association
Public Square was awarded by Green Roofs for Healthy Cities as one of the top green roof projects in North America
Courthouse received Preservation Award by Metropolitan Historical Commission