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Wayne County Justice Center
Wayne County Justice Center
Detroit, MI, United States
Finalist, 2025 A+Awards, Institutional - Government and Civic Buildings
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Other Projects by HOK
Wayne County Justice Center
Detroit, MI, United States
Finalist, 2025 A+Awards, Institutional - Government and Civic Buildings
Firm
STATUS
Built
YEAR
2024
SIZE
1,000,000 +
BUDGET
$100M +
Wayne County Justice Center consolidates facilities previously spread throughout Detroit into a cohesive whole using a modern, civic design that embodies transparency and dignity. The essence of the buildings' civic function and the challenges they pose serve as the catalyst for design originality. How do you represent justice as a basis for our democracy and freedoms and make it available and accessible to the community?
The project was a joint venture between a private developer and Wayne County, a public entity. This presented the unique challenge of adhering to a tight budget while designing a high-quality civic building that met the County’s needs. Additionally, consolidating multiple departments under one roof posed the difficulty of integrating these diverse functions into a cohesive design.
To solve this, the architects devised the podium as the unifying framework with different massing and facade treatments for the various buildings. This individualized treatment of program types broke down the scale of such a large facility into unique but related "siblings." Each program takes on a varied expression while remaining part of a cohesive whole.
The unique use of scalloped precast panels paired with a glimmering curtain wall creates a dynamic, engaging relationship for passersby. To further underscore openness and engagement with the community, most of the Justice Center’s buildings are adjacent to the street, holding the corner of the city block and de-emphasizing parking. By consolidating services, the project reduces the burden of commuting between detention centers and courthouses, helping to facilitate the public’s right and access to a speedy trial.
The result is a visually unexpected and welcoming public building that achieves its functional demands while raising the quality of a civic building with a focus on openness, respect and community.
COLLABORATING FIRMS: General Contractor: Barton Malow; Landscape + Civil Engineer: Giffels Webster; Acoustics Consultant / Engineer: Shen Milsom & Wilke LLC; Code Consultant: Jensen Hughes; PreCast: FabCon Precast
PHOTOGRAPHER: © Angie McMonigal
The project was a joint venture between a private developer and Wayne County, a public entity. This presented the unique challenge of adhering to a tight budget while designing a high-quality civic building that met the County’s needs. Additionally, consolidating multiple departments under one roof posed the difficulty of integrating these diverse functions into a cohesive design.
To solve this, the architects devised the podium as the unifying framework with different massing and facade treatments for the various buildings. This individualized treatment of program types broke down the scale of such a large facility into unique but related "siblings." Each program takes on a varied expression while remaining part of a cohesive whole.
The unique use of scalloped precast panels paired with a glimmering curtain wall creates a dynamic, engaging relationship for passersby. To further underscore openness and engagement with the community, most of the Justice Center’s buildings are adjacent to the street, holding the corner of the city block and de-emphasizing parking. By consolidating services, the project reduces the burden of commuting between detention centers and courthouses, helping to facilitate the public’s right and access to a speedy trial.
The result is a visually unexpected and welcoming public building that achieves its functional demands while raising the quality of a civic building with a focus on openness, respect and community.
COLLABORATING FIRMS: General Contractor: Barton Malow; Landscape + Civil Engineer: Giffels Webster; Acoustics Consultant / Engineer: Shen Milsom & Wilke LLC; Code Consultant: Jensen Hughes; PreCast: FabCon Precast
PHOTOGRAPHER: © Angie McMonigal
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