A complex of 10 houses, surrounded by a concrete wall, on the island of Falster in Denmark, was built in 2016-2017. One can admire the courage of the specialists of CFMøller Architects, who accepted the challenge and agreed to design a prison whose very architecture should support the mental and physical well-being of inmates and staff - and at the same time form the desire to leave it. After all, if years later this social experiment does not show positive results, critics will not hesitate to question the authority of the designers.
A bird's-eye view of Storstrøm Prison. Photo: © Torben Eskerod Image source: CFMøller Architects
The prison complex recreates the typology of a small urban community with streets, squares and public buildings. The windows of the cells and office premises are oriented towards the green landscape and herb gardens, which are laid out along the perimeter of the fence.
Storstrøm standard case. Photo: © Torben Eskerod Image source: CFMøller Architects
Storstrøm standard case. Photo: © Torben Eskerod Image source: CFMøller Architects
In the architecture of the building, the designers tried to retreat from the formal volumes and textures inherent in penitentiary institutions. The buildings, which house workshops, psychological relief rooms, a church and a gymnasium, have large windows, and even the cells have two windows to ensure maximum penetration of natural light.
One of Storstrøm's courtyards. Photo: © Torben Eskerod Image source: CFMøller Architects
Photo: © Torben Eskerod Image source: CFMøller Architects
By the way, there are no grills on the windows - tempered glass perfectly copes with the protective function. There are no shared cells here - each inmate has a separate room with an area of 12,8 square meters. with toilet and shower. The cameras on the first floor even have access to a private yard. The walls of these modern "singles" have a neutral, light color, and those who are allowed to decorate them to their own taste. The interior design was developed by Aggebo & Henriksen Design
Standard solitary cell of Storstrøm prison. Photo: © Torben Eskerod Image source: CFMøller Architects
In the design of the facades of the prison buildings, light brick, concrete-based composite and galvanized steel were used - materials that age beautifully and do not require maintenance. Street paths are paved with asphalt with alternating red, black, white granite and gravel.
Storstrøm Prison Church. Photo: © Torben Eskerod Image source: CFMøller Architects
Storstrøm building hall. Photo: © Torben Eskerod Image source: CFMøller Architects
The unconventionality and innovation of Storstrøm is also emphasized by the presence of works of modern art on the territory, for example, in the design of the entrance group in the concrete wall you can see the sculptural composition DOING TIME / CRITICAL MASS made of patinated black bronze, created by the artist Klaus Carstensen, and on the wall of the gym - a mural by John Kerner.
Mural on the wall of the prison gym. Photo: © Torben Eskerod Image source: CFMøller Architects
Sculpture DOING TIME / CRITICAL MASS, created by artist Klaus Carstensen. Photo: © Torben Eskerod Image source: CFMøller Architects
The uniqueness of the project lies in the fact that the architects managed to combine human-oriented design with specific safety requirements. The layout of the premises allows the prison staff to have a wide field of view, and "security rooms" have been created in the service spaces. Special routes are provided for personnel evacuation - in case of prison riots. And the cameras themselves have an innovative shape with curved walls, thanks to which the supervisor can see most of the camera through the door glass.
A separate building, surrounded by an additional wall, is provided for particularly dangerous criminals and regime violators, who are tolerantly called "prisoners with a negative dominant status" in Denmark. There, prisoners and staff are physically separated and communicate only through glass partitions.
Meditation room in Storstrøm prison. Photo: © Torben Eskerod Image source: CFMøller Architects
Common hall of the standard building in Storstrøm prison. Photo: © Torben Eskerod Image source: CFMøller Architects
The prison is designed to hold 250 prisoners. The Danish authorities believe that they will not have to expand the network of penitentiary institutions, and the flexible architecture of Storstrøm allows to convert the prison town into a hospital, rehabilitation center or even housing in the future.
