Significance

There are nearly 2 million people currently being held in confinement nationwide, with over 1 million in federal prisons alone. Of those 1 million, approximately 15% have been convicted with nonviolent drug charges. One of the biggest struggles with a mass scale release is the lack of resources waiting outside the prison walls. With the creation of a system that would aid in the transition from incarceration to social and economic self-sustainability, there would be a concrete reintegration path back into free society, drastically lowering recidivism rates, and keeping prison populations low.

Data Research

One of the most important fields of data that are recorded around reentry are recidivism rates. Recidivism is the rate at which those who are released become reconvicted and reincarcerated. The rate for recidivism is highest during the first year post-release, and this program hopes to focus on those first few months post-release and add skills that create self-sustainability for the future.

Thesis

Building Neighbors is a programmatic proposal and architectural model based around the idea of creating a more concrete and productive method of reintegration into communities and society using career, social and residential opportunities for those who are released from federal prisons. The ultimate aim of the proposed program and space is to encourage the release of incarcerated people, starting with adolescents and young adults charged with nonviolent drug offences, and moving through other charges with the aim of combating mass incarceration. 

One of the main precedents found during preliminary research was the open prison systems in Norwegian countries. These prisons are very effective at limiting recidivism and fostering human dignity by creating humanized spaces that are familiar and personalized. The aim of this system has been stated to be touted as creating neighbors rather than criminals.

Transition Precedents

Building Neighbors uses the medium of architecture to attempt to repair the damage caused by the blatantly dehumanizing and limiting architecture of the current prisons and jails, and how the transition back into society could be aided by creating a space that is specialized for that purpose.

Methodology

Session 1

Session 2

Session 3

• Field of interest brainstorming
• Topic narrowing
• Creation of research question
• Topic research
• Abstract creation
• Project proposal

• Design element research
• Introduction of secondary advisors
• Programmatic precedents and decisions
• Design element decisions
• Rough idea production

• Architectural choices and reasoning
• Finalizing program
• Design iterations
• Zoning and program cross-referencing
• Furnishing and details
• Final rendering and production

During the process of creating the program deciding whether to base the project around a specific site or not was an important decision before moving into design. Through much research and brainstorming, it was decided to focus on creating a proposal space that is modular to other spaces and systems, as mass incarceration and reintegration failure is not a localized problem.

Site Decision

Deciding Factors

• Future-proofed career
• Flexible schedule
• Marketable skill
• Consistent wage
• Traditional education not required

• Chef
• Freelance styled careers
• Web developer
• Graphic design
• Video game designer
• Web app designer
• Auto mechanic
• UX Designer
• Robotic technician 
• Digital marketing 
• Industrial Engineer
• Alternative energy installers and technicians (solar) 
• AI 
• Bike mechanics

= Meets none of the requirements

= Meets some of the requirements

= Meets most of the requirements

Core Program Offerings

At the core of the program is a graphic and UX design career training which lasts for 6 months. During this period students are also living in the residential space provided and reincorporating into the interpersonal community as well as the community at large.

Zoning

Ground Floor

Second Floor

• Career training
• Multipurpose community room
• Auditorium

• Living space
• Shared kitchen
• Communal area

Ground Floor Plan

Second Floor Plan

Third Floor Plan

Fourth Floor Plan

North Elevation

South Elevation

East Elevation

West Elevation

Section A-A

Section B-B

Ground Floor

Second Floor

Third Floor