Hermetic architecture

Based on extensive research, the design addresses a new prison to be built in Bamberg, replacing the old medieval facility. The search for an ideal location focuses on utilizing a site that improves surveillance and accessibility. The design integrates a graduated resocialization system with humane cell layouts and materials inspired by Scandinavian models. The goal is to create a space that supports rehabilitation, reduces recidivism, and offers dignity and reintegration opportunities for inmates.

This project envisions a new approach to prison design, focusing on the concept of waiting as a productive process of personal reintegration. Rather than viewing incarceration as a period of stagnation, it explores how the time spent in captivity can foster self-reflection, healing, and growth. The design is based on extensive research, including prison visits, interviews, and literature. The new facility, located at Bamberg Harbor, replaces the old medieval prison and aims to provide a more humane environment. The layout follows a graduated resocialization system, progressing from closed to semi-open to open detention. The building’s design reflects a "hermetic" structure, where the outer walls seamlessly merge with the building, creating a controlled yet dynamic space that supports rehabilitation. It integrates distinct functional areas, such as workspaces, medical facilities, and spaces for family visits, along with carefully designed courtyards and communal areas to foster personal growth. The materiality of the building emphasizes both durability and resilience. The cells are finished with lime plaster, creating a lighter, more welcoming atmosphere that positively influences the mood and well-being of the incarcerated. In contrast, the exterior remains robust, symbolizing the facility’s protective role. The design carefully balances security and dignity, offering inmates a pathway for rehabilitation and reintegration into society. The project aims to reduce recidivism and foster social reintegration. Drawing inspiration from successful Scandinavian prison models, it addresses the pressing issue of recidivism in the German penal system, promoting a more humane and effective approach to incarceration.