Penitentiary Grands-Marais

The desire to achieve a balance between functional, safety and economic principles while at the same time finding an interesting architectural expression was the greatest challenge for the project. The building resembles a perfectly functioning logistical machine that accommodates different forms of housing and connects all uses with short and efficient routes. 

The Pénitentiaire des Grands-Marais not only offers an attractive workplace for the staff, but also a quiet and pleasant environment for the rehabilitation of the inmates. Clear, simple spaces with a visual reference to the green space ensure calm, orientation and a clear overview. The project consists of seven consecutive pavilions; six departments and a central building, all connected by a central axis. All departments have the same configuration: they function autonomously and without any visual relationship to each other, which gives them maximum flexibility.

Phasing

Competition | 2021
Planning | 2021–2023

Client

Canton of Vaud

Architecture

HILDEBRAND
Hootsmans Architectuurbureau

Planning

Construction Management | Tekhne
Structural Engineering | WaltGalmarini
Safety Planning | Künzler&Partners
Landscape Architecture | Hager Partner
HKLSE | Amstein + Walthert Lausanne

Key Data

Procedure | Open International Competition in 2 Stages
Award | 1st Prize
Surface | 49’200 m² GFA
Budget | 278 M CHF

Visualisation

Element Visualizations