RE:HABITAT

Abstract

Prisons are constrained by tangible realities – static physical forms, high-density layouts, lack of amenity and limited access to natural spaces. These constraints are typically a result of inflexible systems and rigid hierarchies with high oversight to keep prisoner behaviour in check, but result in the need for efficient use of space and cost-effectiveness. High density facilities lead to overcrowding and foster environments that hinder rehabilitation and inadvertently cause aggressive behaviour. In such spaces, the architecture serves as a tool for containment rather than a catalyst for personal growth, thereby reducing the scope for a humane and transformative correctional experience.

Through a simulated framework, RE:HABITAT unshackles from the physical limitations of material construction and the laws of physics typical of real-world prison typologies, opening up possibilities where the architectural form evolves in response to the inmate’s behaviour – growing when good behaviour is demonstrated, or shrinking to reinforce accountability. Thus the concept of the prison cell changes from a static cage to a responsive space that mirrors the inmate’s journey toward rehabilitation.

Our project aims to investigate this paradigm by using triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS) as a driver for architectural morphosis of simulated prison cells. TPMS structures are characterised by their repeating patterns and minimal surface area and naturally evoke notions of balance, efficiency and adaptability. Importantly, however, we have observed that changing the level input of these structures can change the form drastically and open up new functional capabilities of the cell. As the level input decreases, and cell apertures – which form, eventually coming together and shattering the cell entirely – are deployed as simulated windows into the physical realm. In this way, good behaviour can be rewarded with access to communication with close relatives or friends, or perhaps a real-world view to the sea off the island of Alcatraz – the location where we stage our investigations.

In these examples of cells morphing, stage 1 (isolation) is the beginning of the rehabilitation process. It is intended as solitary confinement – purposefully claustrophobic to incentivise progression. The form grows with progress until apertures begin to form, and stage 2 (reflection) begins.

These apertures start small and difficult to see, but eventually shift to larger openings that can be used as windows, as a means to connect with other inmates, or virtually through video calls to loved ones. These apertures continue to grow with progress, providing access to the communal areas, until they eventually come together and shatter the form – where stage 3 (redemption) begins.

In this stage, the previous enclosure is dissolved and the inmate is free to explore both the virtual representation of the island and the communal spaces.

Early Möbius Explorations

From our early explorations, we decided on creating a mobius-like surface that follows the contours of Alcatraz island as our TPMS boundary. The continuous and cyclical path of a möbius strip is used to symbolise reform and renewal, where an end leads to a new beginning. Reform requires a shift in perspective – the traversal of a möbius strip creates the illusion of flipping sides, though you are always on the same surface.

Due to the virtual nature of the environment, we do not have to worry about things like gravity and being underwater. The möbius surface has its own gravitational pull to orient the user depending on their location.

Möbius-like surface on site

Early TPMS Explorations

Individual Cell Explorations

We trialled several triply periodic minimal surfaces for our concept which will work to create different forms at key stages in the capsule growth. We decided on using a Schoen’s i-WP surface as it provides the most interesting geometry while also morphing to form distinct stages that align to our concept.

Computational Design Methodology

The island outline is extracted from the lowest contour point, and then rebuilt with (control_points). It is then offset with (offset_inner), and once more with (offset_outer).
These curves are divided with (divisions), lines are drawn between each relative point index and rotated by [i]/(rotation). The results are lofted to form our möbius mesh.

The möbius mesh is populated with (communal_points). The distance from the point to the midpoint of each loft line is measured and remapped from 0 to (crv_extend). This determines how much the loft line will extend relative to its distance from (communal_points). The möbius loft is rebuilt with these stretched lines.
These communal areas are grouped, and their new lines evaluated at (green_inset) and 1.0-(green_inset) to give the green space boundary. These are interpolated as a periodic curve, then split the stretched loft surface to give green spaces.

The vector of the extended loft lines are used with (capsule_scale) as length to create the loft lines for the TPMS boundary meshes. These are lofted and then thickened by (capsule_scale)*(levels).

The extended loft lines are inset by (walkway_inset) and offset from the loft by (capsule_scale)*[i](levels). This creates the walkways.

Ramps are created between walkways using the relative item offset of the walkway inset lines {0;-1}{0}, where {0;x} is one boundary mesh, {1;x} is the other, and {x;0} is the level of the walkway.

Form Refinement

Initially, our möbius mesh was exclusively covered by the TPMS generation. After receiving feedback from the tutors, the form was further refined to include communal areas and recreation space.

This is achieved by stretching the möbius strip at equidistant points. Capsules are now stacked either side of the communal spaces. Additional walkways and ramps were added for ease of access to and from capsules.

Final Images