female prison' by OOIIOO architecture, iceland
all images courtesy of OOIIOO architecture
collage of the structure
" madrid-based OOIIOO architecture have developed a proposal for a 'female prison' located in iceland. the project started with the team asking people
who live and work in the establishments what it felt like. the conclusion was that the worst thing about living in a correctional facility is the feeling
that you are actually in one. as a result, this design does not look like a typical penitentiary.
the structure is based on natural light, open spaces and greenery such as peat, grass and flowers. it dismisses the dark spaces, small cells and
grey concrete walls typical of a traditional prison. instead of containing the functions in a singular building, this breaks into several tiny and
more human scaled pavilions. the program is complex, similar to a small village, with a hospital, schools, church and theater,
all working precisely at the same time.
the structure hosts three different types of inhabitants: prisoners, workers and occasional visitors. each of the users have a very specific circulation and
area where they can or cannot reside in. the design resembles the cogs of a large watch, a building like a gear assembly, were all the pieces must be on the
right place to make it efficient and functional, but with the best possible relation to natural light and exterior views, to increase the feeling of freedom. "
