Open-campus behavior correction space that defies the laws of physics while transforming the reality around an inmate based on how they act, giving them an incentive to act in good behaviors to reform.
Historically, prisons have been a place for punishment that architecturally have relied on central surveillance configurations and plan configurations which favor central and radial layouts. Our project aims to change the paradigm of punishment to one of reformation by creating multiple surveillance points in a campus-like plan configuration.
Reform Through Architecture: Depending on the behavior of an inmate, his space expands/contracts to reflect it. With good behavior rewarded with bigger spaces and exterior views to the exterior. While the space becomes closed off and tighter with bad behavior. Transforming the reality around an inmate based on how they act giving them an incentive to reform.
Computational Design System
Aiming to be like the world of Relativity by M. C. Escher, the form reaches this goal through two key principles: triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS) and voxelization of geometry. Referring to the infinite stairs endless climb and ignorance of laws of physics, this reform center is an illustration of lost minds trying to find their path. Mathematical equations are used to create TPMS structure with voxelization to mimic the stair pattern. An easing function controls the tightness of the TPMS creating a reform incentive for inmates.
TPMS
Triply Periodic Minimal Surfaces (TPMS) are a type of implicit surface that minimizes surface area for a given boundary. The TPMS is composed of infinite, non-self-intersecting, periodic surfaces in three principal directions. The TPMS is connected as repetitive lattice structures. It peaked our interest in the possibilities of applying it to create a repetitive yet innovative cell and atmosphere and architecture.
We examine the spatial quality that is formed by the surface, the functional behavior within the surface, and the connectivity inside of the space. Based on this research, we proposed a reform space that applies and reflects the character of the triply periodic minimal surface.
Voxelization
Voxelization is the transformation of geometric surface into 3D representation voxels. This new representation of the primitive geometry envelopes a continuous model. The voxelization is done by subdividing the space recursively in an octree fashion. Each subdivided octant is represented in our case by three intervals, one for each variable (x,y,z). we aim to use it to build the inner space conceptually through steps of voxels
As an analogy to the path, the voxels covers all surfaces, illustrating that life can take us in any direction we have to make the right decision. We examine the scale and spatial tightness that is created as a result of the inmates behavior. All this reflects the world of Relativity.
Early Exploration
Early attempts at distributing minimal surfaces within the site were determined as a step back pushing us to rework our final global scale form. The initial aggregation approach was based on randomized rules, mimicking the space law ignorance of Relativity by M. C. Escher. However, we had to ensure the new virtual space doesn’t overeat the existing structure, causing it to lose its identity and resulting in unrecognizable space. We pointed out that the randomized approach doesn’t work. Thus we will have to go back to the drawing board and create RULES SET.
Rules Set / Form Finding process:
1- Direct connection
2- Line connection
3- Non Direct Connection
TPMS & Functionality
Surfaces: positives and negatives
1- Shwarz P 2- Schwar D 3- Gyroid 4- IWP 5- Lidinoid
Scale of Voxelization & Levels
Computational Design Methodology
Single Open Cell
Surface: Neovius 1 inmate per cell
Level: 0 12 doorways
Voxel scale: 0.5 8 surveillance points
Single Cell Iterations
Scales of voxels and Level of TPMS change as a way to incentivise reform. The two ar not interlinked but both have a range of change of 2.5.
Level control the openings of the doorways and space inside the cell while voxels control the definition of the scapce
A cell at its rest state is at level 0 scale 0,5. A cell doorways closes at level 0.75
The more misbehaved the inmate is the more closed of and less defined the cell is. The more the inmate behaves the more open and defined the cell is
Single Cell Iterations
Prison Cells: Expansion and contraction of circulation
Exploration of different surfaces, manipulated through control points using a mesh gradient component, the objective was to find a surface that could be manipulated to isolate the inmates through geometry, in this case the successful surface was Neovius surface, that achieved isolation through circulation disconnection.
pseudo code:
building mesh > TPMS surface > control points > mesh gradient > domain > field mesh
Prison Cells System Explorations:
Based on the expansion and contraction explorations, the neovius and gyroid surfaces are the best ones to explore the idea of cell isolation. The next step was to voxelize them and explore the duality of the interior of a TPMS.
Final Exploration images
existing building – new prisons – bridge – communal area
