INTERNATIONAL PRECEDENTS

To better understand how to meet the needs of my user group I studied three international precedents. Each precedent incorporates my design catalysts within a different setting, these being a Norwegian prison, a German rehabilitation center and an Indonesian hospital. The common ground for these three precedents is a focus on mental and physical health benefits, a driving factor in my re-imagination of the halfway house.

The Ideal Prison

Halden Prison is widely regarded as the most humane penitentiary in the world (Vinnitskaya). Designed by Erik Møller Architects and HLM Architects, the maximum-security prison was established in 2010 and houses 251 people. The location is extremely remote, while the prison is laid out in a campus-style allowing for ample time outdoors. “This prison was designed as a middle-ground between hard and soft punishment: an attempt to forefront the notion that although convicted criminals have had their liberties revoked, they are on their way to recover through the prison system” (Vinnitskaya). There are five blocks for inmates, an administration building, a visitor center, and a halfway house. In my opinion, the first-floor plan of one of the cell buildings looks more like a college dorm rather than a penitentiary. I appreciated the lack of bars as well as the use of wood and natural colors. Other programs include work and construction spaces, child visitation areas, a grocery shopping center, and a cafeteria lined with bar-less windows. All programs that you would not find in your average prison. Although the prison design has been controversial, it is making a difference in rehabilitation. “Norway has one of the lowest recidivism rates in the world. Only 20% of Norway’s formerly incarcerated population commit another crime within two years of release. Even after five years, the recidivism rate is only 25%” (First Step Alliance).