(NASHVILLE, Tenn., August 8, 2024) – Integrated design firm DLR Group has unveiled its design for the Nashville Youth Campus for Empowerment, a juvenile justice campus that began construction with an official groundbreaking ceremony today. Offering programs and services that have been shown to reduce incarceration, NYCE aims to break the trauma-to-prison pipeline through a continuum of care. A collaborative effort by Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, DLR Group, and Smith Gee Studio, NYCE will set a new standard for the juvenile justice system with spaces that heal rather than retraumatize. A nationally recognized leader in the design of restorative, rehabilitative, and transformative justice facilities, DLR Group acted as Prime Architect, with Smith Gee Studio (SGS) as Associate Architect.

A departure from the “out of sight, out of mind” mentality, which situates juvenile justice centers far from communities, the new model situates the facilities close to home. According to the office of the Juvenile Court Clerk, the 270,000 SF campus, located on a 14-acre site, was chosen for its proximity to additional resources for children and families, accessibility to public transportation, and room for green spaces and courtyards to create a tranquil, positive center of hope for families in Nashville and Davidson County.

“The NYCE is a new hub for positive youth development in Nashville and Davidson County, offering resources, education, and support,” said the Honorable Judge Sheila Calloway. “This modern center is a big step towards providing comprehensive, healing justice for our children, families, and community, showing our commitment to creating a supportive and inspiring space for success.”

The design for the campus includes a 24-hour Respite and Assessment Center that provides on-site evaluation and considers each person’s situation individually prior to responding with the appropriate care and services.

“Since 2016, SGS has collaborated with Judge Calloway and DLR Group to re-evaluate existing programs, conceptualize a new vision and location, and plan for this state-of-the-art campus,” said Smith Gee Studio Principal Hunter Gee, FAIA. “Judge Calloway’s compassion, vision, and persistence have inspired all of us on the team to bring about a place that will put children and their families on a path toward a positive future.  Seeing it emerging into reality is exciting and incredibly meaningful to us as architects, designers, and Nashvillians.”