Sacramento County Juvenile Hall

The major expansion and renovation was in response to Sacramento County’s urgent need to relieve chronic overcrowding within the juvenile justice system, as well as provide for future population growth. The facility design promotes a safe, secure, and normalized environment with abundant natural daylighting and earthy material finishes.

The project was delivered in multiphase design, with Phase 1 and 2 consisting of a central utility plant, new housing wings, intake facility, and a multi-use warehouse and conference building. Phase 3 and 4 consisted of the renovation to the existing 160,000 SF facility including housing wings, office areas and kitchen space, and 4 new housing wings with 120- bed capacity.

The goal to modernize an aging facility while keeping it fully operational is skillfully addressed using planned multiphased construction. New high-security housing, intake, and support spaces were constructed first to allow swing space for residents to relocate for subsequent renovation and infill of the existing facility.

The use of warm earth colors, wood ceilings, and durable floor coverings were also incorporated to downplay the institutional setting and humanize the environment.