The old Sennhof prison in Chur Old Town no longer met the required security standards. Despite various renovation projects, the time-honoured 17th century building was simply unable to meet the requirements of a modern correctional facility. The working conditions for prisoners and staff alike left much to be desired;
Specific architectural challenges
Architects and planners face a complicated task when developing a new closed prison, often needing to reconcile opposing requirements and conditions. Front of mind must be that the purpose of prison within the legal system is no longer to simply lock people away; instead they should be reintegrated back into society. Security remains paramount and the need to protect the general public the top priority, but this also requires a more long-term approach; after all, in order to keep re-offending rates low, inmates must been given the skills and experience they need to re-enter society. In order to maintain a well regulated daily routine, prisons need appropriate workplaces, exercise yards and communal spaces. Prison staff also need good working conditions, as they too are essentially confined within the facility. If staff feel motivated, security standards improve and facilities are run more efficiently and cost-effectively.
To ensure the right approach was taken in Cazis, architects were invited to submit their conceptual designs for evaluation as part of a tender process. The authorities were looking for a "long-sighted" solution which "demon-strated real depth of insight". They were particularly impressed by the "Step by Step" proposal from the La Nicca planning team led by architects D. Jüngling and A. Hagmann based in Chur. After much re-search, tests and analyses, the team ultimately arrived at a design resembling a planned town, which also met all the legal requirements for the prison system. A concrete wall – measuring seven metres in height and around a kilometre in length – and metal fences surround several new prison buildings, each designed to replicate real-life residential and work settings. In line with the latest standards and research, the three main buildings are arranged in a similar format to a barracks or cloisters. The largest of these buildings houses the cells for the different groups of inmates. There is also a complex of manufacturing halls and workshops, as well as spaces for leisure activities and sports. Exercise yards are located between the buildings and can be sealed off depending on security requirements.
Views outside – visibility inside
The new facility is well-designed, bright and modern. The biggest design benefits are the amount of natural light and the views over the surrounding mountains. Together, the architects and the authorities have made good use of the 50,000 m2 site and its surroundings to create a spacious, well-organised environment which offers plenty of visibility. The facility is now able to accommodate a total of 152 inmates and 110 members of staff. Secu-rity is especially important when it comes to maintaining an oversight of dangerous or violent prisoners. This is why the facility is organised in clusters – groups of inmates living in smaller residential units. These groups are separated from one another by a system of corridors and interlocking doors. To move between the different sections, inmates and staff must pass through a series of glass doors. Each group also has their own communal space and dining area within their section. The inmates’ cells are the standard 12 m2 required by law and each has a large window with a security grille. The choice of materials throughout the facility is critical. Everything needs to be extremely tough, but still aesthetically pleasing and also sustainable, which is why long-lasting materials such as concrete, steel, hardwood and brick can be found throughout all floors of all buildings (around 29,000 m2).
The choice of materials throughout the facility is critical. Everything needs to be extremely tough, but still aesthetically pleasing and also sustainable, which is why long-lasting materials such as concrete, steel, hardwood and brick can be found throughout all floors of all buildings (around 29,000 m2).
The choice of materials throughout the facility is critical. Everything needs to be extremely tough, but still aesthetically pleasing and also sustainable, which is why long-lasting materials such as concrete, steel, hardwood and brick can be found throughout all floors of all buildings (around 29,000 m2).
50000
square meters
29000
Square meters of floor area in main and auxiliary buildings
The floor plan demonstrates the barrack or cloister-style design of the building, which covers all the legal requirements for the prison system.
