EFCO curtain wall, storefront and entrances help Kentucky’s Oldham County Judicial Center to retain historic character, meet future needs
Posted on July 16th, 2026 by Heather West
The newly completed Oldham County Judicial Center in La Grange, Kentucky, brings together nearly two centuries of local history and modern judicial services in a thoughtfully designed expansion of the community’s significant architectural landmark. Re-opened in March 2026, EFCO® curtain wall, storefront and entrances – a brand of Apogee Architectural Metals – met the project’s historical aesthetic, modern performance and low-maintenance for its future needs.
Located on Main Street, the 52,000-square-foot government project preserves and incorporates the county’s historic courthouse – Kentucky’s second-oldest courthouse still in existence. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the courthouse has occupied the site since 1828. It survived a fire and reconstruction in 1874, and has continuously served the community through generations of change.
The updated two-story structure nearly doubles the size of the former courthouse. It now houses judicial offices and four courtrooms, including a dedicated circuit courtroom and a separate juvenile court.
Partnering with state, county, local and historic district leaders, Sherman Carter Barnhart Architects designed the expanded judicial center to reflect the courthouse’s original Renaissance Revival style. Respecting its cultural and architectural heritage, WEHR Constructors worked closely with the architects, glazing contractor Stanley Schultze & Co. and Murfin Commercial Building Products (Murfin CBP) to select multiple EFCO systems for this notable project.
The renovation preserved the grandeur of the courthouse’s main entrance, signature bell tower cupola, projected brick pilasters, detailed cornices and the look of its tall, narrow, arched windows. EFCO 5600 Series Curtain Wall, 403i Storefront and D500 Doors match the style, scale and size of the former windows and doors, complete with era-appropriate muntin grids.
Stanley Schultze & Co installed more than 300 individual units for the center’s windows and doors. Several daylight openings are composed of multiple stacked units reaching more than 15 feet tall, while others are circular portals with a compact 2-foot 2-inch diameter.
Contributing to the building’s uniform exterior and its long-lasting functionality, all the EFCO curtain wall, storefront and entrance framing and muntin grids were manufactured with aluminum. These systems and components were finished by EFCO in a Bone White 70% PVDF resin-based architectural coating, providing a consistent appearance across multiple products. This durable painted finish meets the industry-leading AAMA 2605 performance specification. EFCO’s curtain wall and storefront systems also are thermally broken, further contributing to the building’s low-maintenance, energy-efficient operations.
“Successfully achieving Oldham County Judicial Center’s goals involved exceptional teamwork and creative solutions. EFCO’s systems offered the design flexibility and performance this project required,” said Josh Cullen, president of Murfin CBP.
After evaluating multiple options, the Oldham County Project Development Board elected to retain the historic courthouse while replacing later additions and the former jail. To create sufficient space for the new judicial center, WEHR Constructors lifted the 6,300-square-foot, 820-ton courthouse approximately four feet off its foundation and relocated it about 75 feet onto a newly constructed foundation before work began on the expansion.
“The new judicial center gracefully embraces the historic building in a manner which maintains the historic courthouse’s prominence and importance,” described Sherman Carter Barnhart Architects. “The exterior reveres the existing architectural style by using the traditional design elements from the historic courthouse.”
“The project turned out well. It showcased our historical capabilities with the tight radius bends for both the curtain wall and muntins,” added Cullen. Supporting the building’s seamless connection between past and present, EFCO’s aluminum fenestration and framing systems help this landmark continue both its public purpose and its architectural legacy.
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Oldham County Judicial Center; 100 W. Main St., La Grange, KY 40031
* Owner: Oldham County; La Grange, Kentucky; https://www.oldhamcountyky.gov
* Architect: Sherman Carter Barnhart Architects; Lexington, Kentucky; https://scbarchitects.com
* Construction manager: WEHR Constructors, Inc.; Louisville, Kentucky; https://wehrconstructors.com
* Glazing contractor: Stanley Schultze & Co.; Louisville, Kentucky; https://stanleyschultze.com
* Manufacturer’s representative - curtain wall and entrance systems: Murfin Commercial Building Products (Murfin CBP); Sandusky, Ohio; https://murfincbp.com
* Manufacturer and finisher - curtain wall, storefront and entrances: EFCO, a brand of Apogee Architectural Metals; Monett, Missouri; https://apogeearchmetals.com
* Photo credit: ©Abstract Photography, Inc.; Terry Wieckert – courtesy Apogee Architectural Metals