There has been an increase in women entering the carceral system pregnant. Corrections Victoria allows children under 6 to stay with their mothers in prison. While within prison mothers navigate through issues such as group-based stigma from inmates and need to convince prison staff that they are 'good enough mothers' or risk their child being taken. Prison also provides little resource on preparing these women for motherhood and post-release, causing them to leave the system worse off than they were coming in. Furthermore, while the first 5 years of a child’s life is crucial for development, little is considered to accommodate for their needs due to the adult-centered design of prisons.
Nurture through Connection
The perspective captures the view of the central space from the child's play spaces of the site, as well as the visual connection between the central child and her mom behind the central space. It was important that at any point of the site, mothers are able to have some form of supervision over their child, especially in outdoor play spaces where there is more space for a child to run about. Thus, the perimeters of the central space is that of thin timber screens.
Keywords and Concept
Nurture is key when it comes to designing a healing space for these mothers, which in turn allows them to nurture their own children. Nurture for these women can be represented through mainly connection and recovery. Connection can be visual and/or rapport based. Recovery refers to the reintroduction of autonomy with necessary support.
Proposed Floor Plan
The overall spaces are arranged in a way such that large gaps are left behind between each built form. This is to promote a gradual rebuilding of choice and access across the site. The overall placement and paths encourage a sense of routine but at the same time providing large amounts of open space and large gaps between built forms encourages the idea of accessing different spaces at one’s own will.
Nurture through Connection
The presence of a large area dedicated to child play being central to the site humanizes the environment of the prison, encouraging a bridge of connection between staff and mothers through shared trust in the environment. The play space wraps around a shared common area between staff and mothers which also encourages further interaction between mothers with other mothers and staff.
Nurture through Recovery (Therapy Spaces)
It is important that there is an immediate mental health service within the center that is placed in a less attention grabbing area such as the end of the site. Having multiple entry points gives the women a sense of choice with what feels comfortable for them. The therapy pods have been rotated away from the center of the path and are spread apart from one another. The entrance is blocked by timber screens and greenery for privacy; glass walls here are reflective from the outside. It is crucial for these women to feel comfortable entering a space that they are encouraged to be vulnerable in.
Nurture Through Recovery (Lookout Zone)
The lookout zone serves as a tranquil space that allows the women to relax and forget. It encourages them to incorporate, as part of their routine or when they would need, a space that is apart from their maternal identity or troubles. The lack of site boundaries, it’s placement at the end of the site helps facilitate that, allowing them to enjoy seamless views such as during sunset. While the meandering heights and various platforms sizes allow them to enjoy different densities of the canopy by themselves or with others.
Kelly Chua, Nurture through Connection
Kelly Chua, Keywords and Concept
Kelly Chua, Proposed Floor Plan
Kelly Chua, Nurture through Connection
Kelly Chua, Nurture through Recovery (Therapy Spaces)
Kelly Chua, Nurture Through Recovery (Lookout Zone)
In the spirit of reconciliation Monash University acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
