Rehabilitate
Project Name: Rehabilitate- Prison, Rehabilitation, Farming
Location: Al Aweer, Dubai, UAE
Function/Activity: Rehabilitation
Plot: 54,000 sqm
Project theme:
The theme is rehabilitation through farming. The idea is that most inmates are not really rehabilitated as they are kept in horrid conditions in prisons and jails and often find themselves with no purpose in life, motivating their violence. Most inmates have to be released eventually and most inmates are redeemable. The UAE is at risk of being uninhabitable by 2100 and imports 80% of it's produce, which is problematic. To solve this, urban farming could be used and this would also help connect inmates to humanity again and make them become helpful members to society upon release. When one has such a job, they feel they have purpose.
Site Potential and Location:
The location is in Al Aweer and it's next to the Dubai Central Prison and most notable the Garden Municipality. Because the site is isolated , this helps inmates connect to nature and at the same time, it's harder for them to escape. With this, inmates become humanized and become safer beings to society when released. The site also has the Fruit Market and the Plane Crash site and the Mushrif Park, making it an attractive location and one that breathes life. It's a relaxing environment and this is suitable for inmates who may be violent or have a bad temper. Al Aweer is also home to many farms here in Dubai
Project Design:
The project starts off with mimicking the site across the road for the shape of the blocks and the blocks are extruded and divided into the cell block, the recreational block, along with the watch tower, farm tower and the administration and visiting block. Across the road as shown, is the transport block which is connected by the bridge. The farm block is in the courtyard of the cell blocks. As it's a prison, it needs something that resembles order, ideally a cuboid. All blocks are also lifted above the ground to avoid disrupting the scenery and to prevent escapes. With the excepetion of the watch towers and transport tower.
PROJECT SITE LOCATION AND IMPORTANCE
Site Analysis
The site is mainly occupied by farming blocks and desert and surrounded by roads. It's relatively quite compared to the city. In addition, there are a few government facilities and industrial areas around, along with farms, hence why Al Aweer was a suitable choice for this particular project.
Design Process
Site Plan
The prison is based on copying the layout of the plot across the road, as well and blocks of different sizes and heights. In addition, the concept also emphasizes having courtyard and raising the institution above ground, as part of adapting to the humid environment and on ensuring that it's much harder for inmates to escape since it's much harder to jump outside and because there aren't many entrances and exits. The courtyard is an eye catching feature and because of the plants, inmates feel that they might be at home. This is how the concept adapts to safety and rehabilitation.
Sustainable features and Features
What makes the project sustainable is that it has stilts, reducing the need for air conditioners, because the humid air can circulate the building more easily, creating a fan effect. In addition, the concept integrates a roof top garden and vegetation elsewhere and a farm tower. There's also a courtyard which is effective for shading and the addition of the Mashrabiya, also helpful for shading and was once used as a tradition in design. The prison also has a bridge making the journey more efficient for transportation to carry the goods and reduce the tension of being separated by roads. The bridge really enforces that connection and this helps inmates feel closer to nature.
Plans
Elevations
Sections
In the sections as shown, the recreation and prison cells have a courtyard to give inmates the chance to see sunlight and there's also vegetation to bring them to everyday life. The center of the cell blocks have farm towers making the journey quick and efficient and allows inmates to also see the outside if they reach the very top of the farm tower. This is a feature that the overwhelming majority of prisons lack and part of the stressful environment there.
Programs and Circulation
Program
Circulation
The blocks are closely connected but separate, defying the contemporary design of prisons. What this helps is maintain security, but also ensuring that inmates get to walk inside and outside just like everyone else does in everyday life. Towards the corners and sides, inmates and staff are able to go through the floors, but they do not go to the ground floor, with the exception of the watch towers and transport tower. The goal is to ensure a quick and efficient maneuver and transportation and prevent escapes.
Exterior and Interior View
Eye Level Front View
Point of view across bridge
As you walk across the bridge, you get the chance to see the horizon and it gives this feeling of liberation as you can see the outside and walk long distances.
Farm view near administration and visiting
As part of the theme of rehabilitation through farming, farming blocks and areas were added close and within reach for the inmates. As inmates work on the farm they get the chance to look towards the horizon and this makes inmates feel like the experience everyday life and it's proven that biophilic design helps reduce stress and anger.
Courtyard View
Project Materials
For the project I used wood for the louvers, along with sandstone for the mashrabiya and cladding the outdoor floors and bridge. I also used steel and aluminum for the farm tower to keep it structurally acceptable. I also used double glazed glass to prevent the inside from absorbing too much light and I used wood flooring for the cells and other rooms, but not walking areas. I even used stone texture tiles to clad the cells. I used a variety of materials as these materials change color with the season and day and this helps inmates track the time and feel as if they are anywhere else.
For more information about the project theme development and concept formation, please click on the link below to have a look at my thesis book 'Cultivated Convicts'.
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