Travis County Probate Court

This 1931 “depression-moderne” style former Federal court house in downtown Austin was renovated to host county probate court proceedings. The $28 million project also lead to a historic landscape restoration design scope that also met the court’s security program.

The design team’s research at the Austin History Center led to a treasure trove of black and white photos going back to the 1931 grand opening. Inspired by the historic landscape design elements, the team created a more climate-change resilient plant palette for site. The project scope also included arborist consultation services to reverse the decline of several huge Southern Magnolia trees planted by judges and their families in the 1940s. Decades of erosion which had exposed the tree’s roots, making them more vulnerable to heat waves and drought conditions. Partnering with the Texas A&M Forest Service was critical to finding creative urban forestry solutions for these historic trees.

Work completed while Colter Sonneville was employed as a senior associate at Asakura Robinson.