Sumner County Judicial Center
The new judicial center for Sumner County, designed in conjunction with SSOE Group, aims to enhance operational effectiveness by integrating modernity and efficiency across its public, restricted, and secure zones, while maintaining a scale and aesthetic in harmony with the downtown fabric and surrounding community.

The new judicial center will consolidate services currently spread across three locations into a single, modern facility. This consolidation will improve public wayfinding, security and operational efficiency. The new structure includes:

  • Eight (8) courtrooms
  • Judicial office space
  • Secure defendant holding areas and sallyport
  • Judicial parking garage
  • Shelled/unfinished space for future expansion

Situated in the heart of the historic City of Gallatin, the site’s natural slope from front to back aids in the separation of public, restricted, and highly secure access points, each leading directly to their respective zones within the building. This design also provides a community gathering space at the courthouse steps and plaza. The entry pavilion respects the historic courthouse’s size and proportions, blending seamlessly into the surrounding streetscape with contextual stone, masonry, traditional window details and a pitched roof.

Designed as a 100-year building, the center features durable materials and specific design elements like taller floor heights to accommodate future changes in building systems. The courtrooms are arranged to facilitate easy public circulation along the front portion of the building, while the restricted access to a secure garage for judges is provided on the lower level with dedicated elevators. Additional secure dedicated elevators ensure direct access between holding areas for defendants and the courtrooms.

County Jail Facility Expansion
The 14,000 square-foot expansion of the county jail adds two jail pods with triple bunk beds for 66 inmates in each pod, a control room, a classroom, an exterior exercise yard, and other support facilities. The new structure connects to the existing facility and features dormitory-style detention pods, a raised control rooms for observation, and security camera surveillance. Constructed with 85,000-pound concrete tilt-up panels, a steel roof, and concrete masonry walls, the facility was built for quick assembly and long-lasting strength.

The Sumner County Judicial Center and County Jail combine modern efficiency, historic respect, and flexibility for the future to serve the county’s judicial and detention needs effectively.

© Gabe Ford Photography