NOTES
ON PRISON
IT TAKES FEW SECONDS TO LOAD THE DIAGRAM
05–14–25
The history of the cell's design is often linked to the monastic cell. 1 In the course of the 19th century, the cell represented a key space within the prison facility – it provided isolation, self-reflection, spiritual contemplation, and a setting for visits from directors, chaplains, and priests. It was imbued with the philosophy of contemporary penal thought, which emphasized rehabilitation through the recognition of one’s crime and spiritual enlightenment. 2 In the 20th century, however, the cell was transformed into a micro-space that, while still functioning as a site of isolation, was primarily designed to meet basic physiological needs. 3 Its layout is typically very simple; a rectangular room with a legally mandated minimum floor area per person (nowadays in the Czech Republic, this is 4 m², which may be reduced to 3 m² when increasing capacity becomes necessary). The furnishings are rudimentary: a fixed bed (with an inspectable space underneath), a table, a chair, a toilet, heavy metal doors, and a barred window. 4 The size of the cell is often comparable to that of a standard panelák’s bathroom, and since the toilet is part of the living space and may only be separated by an opaque screen at best, its presence likely affects the olfactory quality of the environment. 5 The character of the cell can sometimes be read from the building’s façade – reflected in the rhythm and dimensions of the windows, that is, in the degree of access to natural light.
The main subject of this contribution, however, is the visual imagery of cells associated with the animal and plant kingdoms. Through visual interpretation, I return to the understanding that not only humans are confined to cells, BARS, and cages – for the purpose of profit. Carceral capitalism has adopted numerous techniques for generating capital through the restriction of freedom, many of which crystallize in the collages below. The image is influenced and inspired by similar approach to the collage Ichnographia Cellae by the architectural office Dogma (see HERE).
1 Michel Foucault, Dohlížet a trestat: kniha o zrodu vězení, Prague 2000, p. 209.
2 Elsa Besson, L’architecture carcérale française à l’aune de la cellule. Origines, mythes et constances de la prison individuelle, Champ Pénal/Penal Field XIX, 2022. Available at: https://journals.openedition.org/champpenal/11652, accessed on 14 May 2025.
3 See note 2.
4 Sabrina Puddu, The ‘Prison House’ and Normalization: Between the Reassertion of Privacy and the Risk of Collectiveness, Architecture and Culture X, 2022, no. 3, pp. 1–31.
5 Jana Hulmáková, Criminal and Sanction Policy in the Czech Republic in 2023. Institute of Criminology and Social Prevention, available at: https://www.iksp.cz/storage/169/Trestni-a-sankcni-politika-v-CR-v-roce-2023_IKSP_Hulmakova.pdf, accessed on 2 May 2025.
A Animal Cell
B The Bullring
C Foie Gras Farm
D Cosmetic Animal Testing Lab
E Cattle Farm
F Rodeo Arena
G Poultry Farm
H Breeding Station
I Dairy Farm
J Cow House
K Fur Farm
L Ant Farm Toy
M Slaughterhouse 1908
N Safari Jeep
O Zoo (Elephant Run)
P Silkworm Farm
Q Animal Exhibitions
R Aquarium
S Salmon Farm
T Horse Track
U Animal Trafficking
V Safari Bus, Colombia
- W Circus
- X Horse-drawn Carraige
ADÉLA VAVŘÍKOVÁ
THEORETICAL TEXT
The project’s political dimension contributes to the discourse on prison abolition, while also serving as a professional appeal to the architectural community: to learn to recognise spaces designed for oppression and violence, and to refuse further participation in their production. Instead, it calls for the use of imagination as a design tool, encouraging the creation of a society grounded in care and social equality.
At the top of the webpage, readers will find (1) a list of frequently asked questions related to prison abolition, (2) a glossary of terms, and (3) a manual explaining the structure of the online archive, including its categories, tags, and entries.