Brown County Jail & Juvenile Detention Center

Green Bay, WI

Located in a rural yet industrial area, this new facility features an exterior that is sensitive to the housing community located near the site. The 220,000-square-foot complex comprises several smaller units, preventing the total mass from overwhelming its residential neighbors. The landscape design and civil engineering further complement the natural setting and allow the facility to sit gently on the site.

The main entrance, designed as a civic reminder that serves the county's citizens, blends materials that include brick, Spancrete architectural precast concrete panels, renaissance stone, exposed steel, channel lintels and prefinished metal soffits and fascia. The autumn-colored brick serves as the main color focus and is surrounded and accented by light-colored stone and Spancrete precast concrete panels.

"By using repetitive Spancrete precast concrete exterior wall panels, we could enclose the facility faster than using masonry or stone products," says Joe Haines, senior principal at DLR Group. "This allowed the contractor to work in a heated space and start the interior finishes sooner. Precast Spancrete wall panels also provided a durable material that will withstand time and elements. This building will have many additions over the years and is expected to last many years into the future."