THE WAY BETWEEN - WOMEN´S PRISON TÁBOR

Project idea

Prison is a topic that remains on the margins of social attention - often neglected, misunderstood, or even deliberately ignored. Yet it touches on how we as a society view justice, guilt, forgiveness and second chances. Prisons are not just places of punishment; they are a mirror of our values, our relationship to the law and our belief in the possibility of change.
This thesis is concerned with the design of a women's prison near the city of Tabor. It is based on the knowledge gained in the diploma seminar and on the current standards and principles of humane treatment. The aim of the proposal is not only to create a functional and safe facility, but also to stimulate interest in a topic that is often neglected, despite its direct impact on individuals and society as a whole.

Project description

The prison grounds are a very operationally complex facility - a kind of small, closed world that must function independently and efficiently. It is necessary not only to ensure the safe movement of people, logistics and operational facilities, but also to create an environment that supports resocialisation, work, education and interpersonal relations.
The main landmark of the whole prison area is the central square, which serves not only as a communication space for the prisoners and staff, but also as a rest and relaxation area under the shade of the trees. The square is intersected by paths that connect the buildings and facilitate movement around the site.
The buildings are arranged around a central square, thus visually and functionally enclosing this space. Most of the buildings have a U-shaped layout based on the operational requirements of the prison. The shape is enclosed by a perimeter wall, creating an internal courtyard where female prisoners can move around safely and under supervision in the fresh air. To maximise the use of the space between the buildings, small orchards and beds are designed for growing vegetables and fruit.

Technical information

The structural solution of the prison buildings is designed as a combined system of reinforced concrete. The foundation of the buildings is made on the foundation strips, which ensure uniform distribution of the load to the subsoil. The envelope is provided with thermal insulation and then plastered.
All utilities are routed through an underground collector, from which individual utilities are connected to each building separately. A central heat source serves the entire site, with a technical room in each building that provides heat distribution to a specific part of the site. The heating is designed as underfloor heating. Ventilation is designed individually within each building according to its operation.