Originally designed by renowned Brutalist architect Paul Rudolph in the mid-1960s, the Orange County Government Center is an architecturally significant civic landmark with a distinctive place in the community.
Client
Orange County Department of Public Works
Location
Goshen, New York
Total Project Cost
$74 M
Project Type
Government Centers, Judicial Centers
Photographer
Kim Smith Photo
Completed
2018
Size
245,000 sq. ft.
Services
Architecture, Electrical Engineering, Interior Design, Civil/Site Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Plumbing Engineering, Structural Engineering
Key Contact
Richard Henry III
Following extensive flood damage caused by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee in 2011, Orange County partnered with CPL to help determine a path forward that would preserve the character of the original building while addressing its significant physical, operational and infrastructure deficiencies.
Working in collaboration with designLAB, CPL first completed a comprehensive assessment of the Government Center’s physical condition, documenting existing deficiencies as well as opportunities for rehabilitation and modernization. The team evaluated multiple approaches—including renovation, selective demolition and new construction—to develop a cost-effective solution that balanced preservation of the original architecture with the County’s long-term functional needs.
The resulting approximately $80 million construction program encompassed the Government Center as well as six additional County facilities, including an 1841 courthouse that remains in active use. At the Government Center, the transformation carefully restored and preserved significant elements of Rudolph’s original design while introducing new and renovated spaces that improve the building’s performance, functionality and accessibility.
The revitalized Government Center features upgraded lighting, HVAC and MEP systems, improved energy and operational efficiency, and enhanced accessibility and ADA compliance. The project gave new life to an important work of modern architecture while creating a safer, more efficient and functional civic facility capable of continuing to serve Orange County and its residents for generations.
