Harris County Criminal Justice Center
Houston, Texas | February 10, 2023
Introduction
In 2017, Houston and many surrounding communities received tremendous damage from Hurricane Harvey. With record rainfall totals of more than 60”, almost all commercial and residential spaces recorded damage from minor to catastrophic. Like many facilities in the area, the Harris County Criminal Justice Center wasn’t spared.
The 20-story building took on more than four feet of floodwaters, causing tremendous damage to the elevator systems. Additionally, the floodwaters in the basement caused computers that controlled the water pressure throughout the building to malfunction bursting pipes on the upper floors and soaking the courtrooms.
In early 2019, the county commissioners approved $4.9 million for repairs to the Center, focusing on renovations on the elevators and 16 of the courtrooms.
The Story
With a short lead time, the design team at PGAL was searching for wall-covering products that mimicked travertine but offered high performance and easy maintenance. The team wanted a product that would withstand another water incident and needed a product that offered a soothing style for the many people that visit the building during stressful periods.
The team specified Crossville Porcelain Tile Panels by Laminam in I Naturali collection in two colorways for the building’s corridors and elevator walls. With the Ossidiana Vena Chiara colorway, the designers could create a high-impact interior design scheme on the walls in the high-traffic, well-traveled corridors. This selection offers an appearance that adds a classically rich depth to the space. Blending beautifully with the hallways, the team chose the Fokos Terra colorway for the elevator walls offering an earthy yet elegant style. The porcelain tile panels—with outer dimensions measured in feet yet a profile of only 3 mm in thickness—were quickly and easily installed with minimal grout lines providing a seamless style.
Conclusion
In addition to having the product available quickly, the porcelain tile panel specification for this facility had to have performance characteristics to ensure they would withstand years of use. With their durable, pure porcelain bodies, the tile panels will be easily maintained while retaining their elegant appearance. This low-maintenance advantage is a key point for those managing the upkeep of the busy building. Crossville’s solution will answer the technical requirements of this demanding facility for years to come.
