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– Norman Foster
Architecture is still too often understood as simply creating a building. However, as these buildings often last longer than one person’s lifetime, it is important to think beyond tomorrow, next year, even think beyond your own lifetime. To do this, architects need to be aware of developments in society, of new visions for the future. This is exactly where the work of architects and RESCALED interacts. Many of today’s prisons are outdated – built for another purpose in another time.
In an ideal world, architecture works closely together with communities when they are creating their plan, with bottom-up strategies in urbanism and by design approaches. Where prisons are often built outside of busy cities, on the quiet countryside, detention houses are meant to be part of the ecosystem of a city, a neighborhood. Fresh air, daylight and green spaces benefit a person's mental health and well-being. A communal kitchen can encourage meaningful interaction and sharing of culture. People, no matter who, should not be excluded from society, but should have the chance to be and stay part of society.
Architecture is still too often understood as simply creating a building. However, as these buildings often last longer than one person’s lifetime, it is important to think beyond tomorrow, next year, even think beyond your own lifetime. To do this, architects need to be aware of developments in society, of new visions for the future. This is exactly where the work of architects and RESCALED interacts. Many of today’s prisons are outdated – built for another purpose in another time.
In an ideal world, architecture works closely together with communities when they are creating their plan, with bottom-up strategies in urbanism and by design approaches. Where prisons are often built outside of busy cities, on the quiet countryside, detention houses are meant to be part of the ecosystem of a city, a neighborhood. Fresh air, daylight and green spaces benefit a person's mental health and well-being. A communal kitchen can encourage meaningful interaction and sharing of culture. People, no matter who, should not be excluded from society, but should have the chance to be and stay part of society.
Meet colleagues across Europe pursuing the same goal. Contribute your knowledge to the community. Be the first to hear the latest developments on small scale forms of detention. Unlock your curiosity and become part of the RESCALED community.
Architectural environment
Small-scale
Fresh air, daylight and greenspace
The detention house shall implement environmentally sustainable practices.
Architecture
The European Rules on Detention Houses (ERDH) is a milestone document for the criminal justice system and reflects the larger impact of this system on society. Drafted by representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of Europe, the ERDH were launched on October 31st as common standards to implement small-scale, differentiated and community-integrated detention houses in the European Union, as part of a pivotal change already happening in criminal justice systems across Europe. The ERDH set out the ecosystem of a detention house on its own and as part of, and within a community and society, emphasizing sustainability. As the European Prison Rules have been common standards for large-scale prison institutions, the European Rules on Detention Houses shall form essential standards for detention houses, in order to guarantee a way of liberty deprivation that is humane and more fit for the 21stcentury.
The European Rules on Detention Houses (ERDH) is a milestone document for the criminal justice system and reflects the larger impact of this system on society. Drafted by representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of Europe, the ERDH were launched on October 31st as common standards to implement small-scale, differentiated and community-integrated detention houses in the European Union, as part of a pivotal change already happening in criminal justice systems across Europe. The ERDH set out the ecosystem of a detention house on its own and as part of, and within a community and society, emphasizing sustainability. As the European Prison Rules have been common standards for large-scale prison institutions, the European Rules on Detention Houses shall form essential standards for detention houses, in order to guarantee a way of liberty deprivation that is humane and more fit for the 21stcentury.
Architectural environment
Small-scale
Fresh air, daylight and greenspace
The detention house shall implement environmentally sustainable practices.
Architecture
Distance equals disconnection. Large prison facilities located far away from cities in a rural context deviate from the proximity principle. Small-scale detention houses seek to do the complete opposite. They must be integrated in a community to work. This allows the people in detention to not lose connection with the society. It also makes it easier to maintain personal relations like family and friends as they’ll have it much easier to visit a detention house located in a city than a secluded prison facility. The closer to society a person is, the smaller the disconnection towards it after their sentence.
Together, we want to create a space where everyone can feel accepted and respected – regardless of gender identity, skin colour, religion, ethnicity or ability. We assume that all participants come to our events with the best intentions and treat each other with respect.
