More than a design program it was the psychological intervention in architecture. Understanding the psychology of the inmates and designing the spaces accordingly, that was the challenge.  Based on the case studies and research done I approach this program in a slightly different way. Rather than a program I had to treat this as a life story of those inmates. Where the story starts from making them realise that they were not outcasts of the society but there is a better future awaiting.

In a campus design program like this zoning is the most important thing. But here it was not only about zoning, it was about narrating a story. In this narration all the  characters of the story are the structures and are linked to each other tangibly or intangibly.

On a broad view, the FORM and SHAPES are a mix of edges and curves which allows the spaces and structures to blend with each other. It was a combination of formal and informal spaces and structures.

As it was a legal institution, Discipline was the most important factor. When one enters the campus the very first structure which he came across was administrative and judicial block. With their simple and straight form  it leaves a disciplinary impression on the inmate followed by the judicial procedure. While entering inside, after the judicial procedure and before entering the actual campus, there is a space in-between called the, ’ROOTING area’ where inmates get oriented and have to plant a sapling of which they have to take care every day. This develops a SENSE OF BELONGING and RESPONSIBILITY into them.

Both boys and girls hostels are planned in such a way that they can be overlooked from a single point which is the staff office which is connected to both the sections and sports block. Curve geometry of hostel and school blocks allows to monitor the functions easily. Also it creates a nice central open space which serves as an outdoor event area for the betterment of inmates.

This story ends with an oval shaped industrial training block where inmates got trained to start their life in the outside world with some skills in their hands. Purpose was to develop a SELF CONFIDENCE and SELF RELIABILITY into them.

So, that was the whole story. There are many details which I can’t explain here but I will say one thing that whether it is an open space or a structure one should feel that he/she belongs to that space.