High security prison in Tábor

Idea projektu

The topic of imprisonment is still considered a taboo in our context. Society often regards incarceration as a natural part of justice, yet at the same time, it pushes prisons to the margins, physically, visually, and symbolically. Prison architecture tends to be hidden, invisible, and frequently gives up on seeking values that go beyond the function of isolation. In my design, I aimed to cross that boundary. I believe that even the environment of a prison can carry a certain degree of dignity, not only for the inmates but also for those who work there. This is not about questioning the punishment itself, but rather about asking how space can influence the process of rehabilitation, the perception of freedom, and the possibility of returning to society.

Popis projektu

Concept_Function The concept of functional organization is based on the principle of a gradient between freedom and punishment. The building has a linear structure, where the beginning of the line symbolizes freedom and its end symbolizes punishment. The backbone of the facility is a long corridor with classrooms, representing the path of education leading toward freedom. The various prison functions are distributed along this line according to the “degree” of freedom. At the beginning of the line is the entrance building, which includes spaces for visits, inmate intake and release, and administration. This is followed by a services and activities building. The next buildings in the sequence contain workshops and studios on the ground floor, and residential units for closed communities on the upper floors. This layout also allows for varying levels of security in different accommodation areas. At the very end of the line is a chapel, symbolizing the possibility of return—both spiritual and personal. The individual courtyards between the buildings are also arranged according to the degree of freedom. Enclosed courtyards intended for high-risk inmates are located at the end of the line, while closer to the "freedom" end, there are more open yards with greater space for movement and activities. Concept_Form The massing concept is derived from the aforementioned principle of the freedom gradient. I sought to express this idea from the prisoner’s perspective and their perception of space. The smallest unit of the prison is the cell—a space that most strongly represents punishment. It is the most enclosed and restricted place, evoking the loss of freedom. In contrast, community kitchens and dining areas are more open and support daily life in smaller communities. The open ground floor offers a wide range of activities and educational opportunities. Within the prison context, these functions represent the highest level of freedom. This contrast between the closed living units and the open ground floor creates a spatial gradient designed to foster motivation. The inmate can “progress” toward freedom through education, work, and active participation in community life. The entrance building with administrative facilities is designed to be visually transparent. Its transparency is not merely a construction solution but carries a reference to the principle of openness and accountability within the penal system.

Technické informace

Architectural Design The entrance building has three above-ground floors. The ground floor is divided into three functional zones. At the center of the layout is the main entrance, which separates the visitor area from the staff facilities, including the inmate intake and release section. On the first floor (1st floor), there is the main security post, therapists’ offices, and a dining room for administrative staff. The second floor (2nd floor) houses the prison administration offices. The activities and services building has two above-ground floors. On the ground floor, there is a medical clinic with an emergency intake, a dental office, and short-term stay rooms. The second part of the ground floor includes fitness rooms—separately for staff and inmates. Above them is a large sports hall and two squash courts. The accommodation blocks have four above-ground floors. The first block contains staff quarters and therapy rooms on the ground floor. The other blocks have workshops, studios, and an assembly hall on the ground floor. The upper floors are dedicated to residential units. Each floor contains two separate communities of 14 inmates. Each community has its own kitchenette and a spacious corridor serving as a communal space. Each wing contains 13 cells—12 are single-occupancy, and one larger cell is either barrier-free or designed for two inmates. In the center of the layout is a security room that provides supervision of both communities. All buildings are connected by a long corridor that contains classrooms illuminated through atriums. At the end of the corridor is a chapel. The courtyards between the buildings are directly accessible from the corridor and serve different purposes. The first courtyard, between the entrance building and the hall, is designated for visitors and is separated from the rest of the facility. The courtyard between the hall and the staff quarters is intended for staff relaxation. Other courtyards feature community gardens, some connected to a greenhouse or supplemented with enclosures for small animals. The courtyards at the end of the corridor are enclosed and intended for higher-risk inmates. Cell A single-occupancy cell has an area of 12 m² and is designed as a fully functional living space for one person. This approach aligns with Western European practices, especially models from Norway, Germany, and the Netherlands, where standard single cells range from 10–12 m², with an emphasis on humanity and rehabilitation. The cell includes a bed, a work desk, an open storage system, a sink, a shower, and a toilet. Natural daylight is provided through a standard-sized window, positioned to allow visual contact with the outside environment. Prison Capacity The chosen capacity of the prison is 350 inmates. This figure falls within the professionally recommended range of 200 to 500 inmates, which is considered optimal in terms of safety, operational efficiency, and rehabilitation potential. A facility of this size allows staff to develop more personal relationships with inmates, better remember individuals, and respond more sensitively to their needs or problematic behavior. This helps create a more stable and humane environment that supports genuine rehabilitation. A capacity of 350 also enables a sufficiently diverse range of work, educational, and therapeutic programs without the facility becoming an impersonal, overloaded complex. Phasing The complex is designed to allow phased construction and future expansion. The chosen linear concept enables the gradual addition of buildings without disrupting the operation of the existing parts. The first phase includes the construction of the entrance building, the activities and services building, and two accommodation blocks. Further phases can flexibly add more housing units, workshops, or therapy spaces based on current needs. The master plan includes land reserves for increasing capacity (e.g., up to 500 inmates) and for the potential addition of new functions. This allows the complex to grow organically without losing its logic or internal hierarchy. Material Design The material design is based on the requirements for durability and longevity. The primary construction material is monolithic concrete, which is intentionally left exposed in many parts. Glass surfaces are composed of a mix of frosted and clear glass or polycarbonate panels. The façades of the buildings—except for the entrance building—are rendered. On the accommodation blocks, the façades are supplemented with perforated metal panels in front of the windows, serving mainly as a security feature and, on the southern façades, also as sunshading. Cells have poured flooring in a soft color tone. The walls are plastered and fitted with protective panels at the bed area. Furniture is designed from wooden plywood. Bathrooms are equipped with anti-vandal stainless steel sanitary fixtures, ensuring durability and ease of maintenance. Accessibility The entire facility is designed to be fully barrier-free. The entrance building is equipped with accessible toilets for both visitors and staff. Each building contains an accessible elevator to allow vertical movement for persons with physical disabilities. On the ground floors of the accommodation blocks, two larger cells can be used as accessible units depending on current capacity needs. A paved circulation route runs through the entire complex, ensuring barrier-free movement in outdoor areas, including access to gardens and courtyards. Fire Safety Prisons are not explicitly defined as a separate category in legislation but can be classified among non-industrial buildings. In terms of operations, they lie somewhere between accommodation facilities, healthcare institutions, and social care facilities. From a fire safety perspective, they are assessed as buildings with reduced evacuation capability. The smallest fire safety unit is the cell, which is connected to an unprotected escape route—a corridor less than 25 meters in length. All corridors must be equipped with an electrical fire alarm system (EPS). Vertical circulation is designed as a protected escape route, leading into the ground-floor corridor, which is further divided into smaller protected sections. The ground-floor corridor is equipped with a sprinkler system to meet the requirements for a protected escape route. From this corridor, direct access to the outdoor courtyards is provided. A paved road loops through the complex, ensuring smooth access for fire trucks. In the northwest-southeast corner of the site, a fire water tank is placed, which can be used in emergencies as a water source for firefighting. The structural system is a combination of non-combustible reinforced concrete columns, walls, beams, and slab ceilings.