‘mas denric penitentiary’ by AiB estudi d’arquitectes

 

 

the prison is an uncomfortable institution and its architecture is often subjugated to technocratic criteria. this servility forces the prison out of the sociocultural realm where it belongs, thus erasing it from public discourse. the invisibility of the penitentiary as an institution demonstrates an unresolved contradiction underlying contemporary society. a jail must respond to the demand for discipline (confinement) and liberty (reinsertion) at the same time. within this complex framework, architecture can make use of its ability to synthetically articulate problems that seem contradictory to become an active agent in resolving the paradox of the contemporary penitentiary.

 

given very strict programmatic requirements, catalan AiB estudi d’arquitectes, have made a series of decisions that forge a link between the utilitarian and the conceptual: the construction of an appropriated, non-oppressive environment; the introduction of a maximum number of vectors of exteriority; and the generation of open space that is central both formally and conceptually. three keys aspects permeate the entire design process and serve as the conceptual horizons that articulate the project: totality, vibration and openness. both typological and topological design strategies are central to the mas d’enric penitentiary project.

 

 

mas denric penitentiary by AiB estudi d'arquitectescentral square

 

 

the strategy goes beyond conventional modern prison architecture by creating a revised mat-building: the prison is extensive in plan and low to the ground. contiguity eliminates residual spaces between buildings. it also allows for organizational flexibility while generating exterior spaces in the form of courtyards on different scales.the topographical adaptation allows for a gentle integration with the terrain. it creates spatial variety while allowing for the absence of any kind of interior fencing. distant views of the mountains are made possible by an articulation of the ground level. views of the adjacent woodlands improve conditions in both the cells and the courtyards. the continuity of the roof works on both a typological and topological level, creating morphological unity for the building and establishing relationships with the large scale of the landscape. the confinement required by the program is not monumental; on the contrary, the prison’s architecture faces up to the, perhaps impossible, challenge of creating a genuine home and hearth.

 

mas denric penitentiary by AiB estudi d'arquitectescentral square

 

 

mas denric penitentiary by AiB estudi d'arquitectescultural and sports facilities

 

 

mas denric penitentiary by AiB estudi d'arquitectesmonitoring, visits and admission

 

 

mas denric penitentiary by AiB estudi d'arquitectesresidential block

 

 

mas denric penitentiary by AiB estudi d'arquitectesresidential block

 

 

mas denric penitentiary by AiB estudi d'arquitectesworkshops

 

 

mas denric penitentiary by AiB estudi d'arquitectessecurity and administration

 

mas denric penitentiary by AiB estudi d'arquitectesfloor plan

 

mas denric penitentiary by AiB estudi d'arquitectessections terrain/building

 

mas denric penitentiary by AiB estudi d'arquitectescentral square elevations

 

 

project fact sheet

developer: generalitat de catalunya, justice departmentconcessionaire: superficiària cp mas d’enricconstruction company: comsa-emtesurface area: 74.130 sqm (built) + 130.163 sqm (landscape and infrastructure)budget: 113.830.553 €construction: desembre 2009-abril 2012lead architects: roger paez i blanch (aib estudi d’arquitectes slp) & joan maria pascual i cañellas (estudi psp arquitectura scp)

 

 

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