(proto)PRISON The central flaw of the American prison model is its complete removal of individuals from society. An isolated prison leads to public stigmatization of inmates, a psychological disconnect from society, and a lack of educational/work opportunities that are necessary to support oneself upon release. Each of these conditions contributes to recidivism by inhibiting the inmates’ successful reintegration into society.
6
We propose a prison in which inmates are continuously interacting with society. By introducing and integrating a government-run alternative energy research center, we provide opportunities for vocational training, additional education, and direct interaction with various members of society. The unique climate and environment of the site make it ideal for a self-sufficient solar and wind research facility. The inmates’ involvement in the research counters the notion that inmates are a burden on the public while giving them the sense that their work is contributing to a greater good.
28
Through the inversion of the panopticon prison typology and the replacement of the oppressive central guard tower with a solar thermal collector, we increase the autonomy of the inmates. The formal language of the panopticon was adapted into three programmatic rings — cell block, research, and support — with courtyards that contain recreation and research areas — solar thermal, photovoltaic, and wind turbines. At the intersection of these rings, the programmatic boundaries are blurred, allowing for controlled interaction between the various users. For example, inmates receive vocational training from researchers in the classrooms and get hands-on experience in the courtyards. The building’s atmosphere of openness and minimal perceived barriers transforms the prison model from one of isolation to one of interaction.
13
1 2
27
28 30
26
12
31
Society
Prison
27
29 24
32
Society + Prison
11
25
10
33
3
cells
2
living
Panopticon
Inverted Panopticon
Solar Thermal Array
Inverted Panopticon + Solar Thermal Array
8
1
9
16
5
private Private
Cells inmates
dining
public Public
administration Programmatic Blending
Cells cells
labs/offices Private private
rec.
services Support
22
34
Research
researchers
22 24
edu.
private
Public public
offices
edu. Dining Rec.
Edu. dining Cafe
rec. public Public
Support services
19 labs/offices Research Labs
4 18 18
15 offices Admin.
16
Private private Degrees of Privacy
Programmatic Arrangement
Programmatic Inflection
9
17
9
16
Southwest
14
Northeast
23
21
20
7
living Research Living
24
5
West
1 - Cells 2 - Common Space 3 - Canteen 4 - Recreation 5 - Kitchen 6 - Religious Space 7 - Sally Port 8 - Showers 9 - Bathrooms 10 - Dining 11 - Library 12 - Lecture Space 13 - Classrooms / Labs 14 - Admin. Offices 15 - Infirmary 16 - Storage 17 - Laundry Room