The structure
serves as a wholesale showroom of products made by prisoners in the
State Prison System. It is located near the historic state capital
complex on a busy urban artery. The unique challenge of this project
was to design and build a building in six months with a budget of $85
per square foot, and, due to a fear of vandalism, no windows.
An inspired design was created due in large part to an appreciation of
the neighborhood as well as inspiration drawn from the culturally
founded elements in the works of Luis Barrágan. Persuading the owner
that slit windows and polycarbonate panels would resist vandalism, the
building transformed from a windowless shed to one that engages the
streets with apertures that also gather light to showcase the prison
wares inside. While the building remains a shed in form, structure and
purpose, it is a good neighbor.
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