Government Center
Clay County
Nestled in the foothills of southwestern North Carolina is the new Clay County Government Center. The 55,000 SF complex consists of four major buildings: a 32,000 SF courthouse attached to a 12,000 SF, 44-bed jail; a 5,000 SF County Manager’s Office; and a 6,000 SF Sheriff’s Office. All county offices are consolidated into one governmental complex offering efficiency, accessibility and a single location for all county services.
Pease worked with the county to develop a program that would serve departmental needs for the next 10 years and a master plan that would support department expansion for decades to come. The master plan gives special consideration to the placement of the buildings, while taking advantage of natural landscape features for roads, walkways, utilities and vistas.
The Government Center sits up high, against a backdrop of mountains, overlooking its surroundings. The design features traditional courthouse references with columns and architrave that are articulated in a more modern style. The building has several tiers that terminate with a sloped roof emulating the mountainous landscape.
The two-story lobby, with clerestory windows and exposed trusses, reference mountain cabins in the area. A large wall with classical proportions stands at the end of the lobby by the monumental stair, with an inscription by Thomas Jefferson. Natural light flows throughout the building while the windows frame the view of the surrounding mountains.
