Auckland South Correctional Facility| Wiri, Auckland

The facility was designed to minimise the overall effects on the site and make positive contributions to the surrounding community.

Client: Fletcher Construction, Department of Corrections NZ
Location: Wiri, Auckland
MODE Expertise: Architecture, Interior Design, Graphic Design, Wayfinding

Auckland South Correctional Facility | Wiri, Auckland

Located on the outskirts of Auckland, this 1,000-bed correctional facility focuses on the reduction of re-offending prisoners. The facility was designed to minimise the overall effects on the site and make positive contributions to the surrounding community as per the Clients brief.

MODE based the architecture on developing a progressive model which rewarded a prisoner’s rehabilitation program. As the rehabilitation of the prisoner progresses, they are upgraded to more functional and better equipped accommodation.

The facility was designed to minimise the overall effects on the site and make positive contributions to the surrounding community. It also marked the first prison in New Zealand designed to specifically reduce recidivism. Statistics show that the cost of recidivism in Australasia is alarmingly high, with reoffending prisoners each costing the state approximately $100,000 per annum.

The Auckland South Correctional Centre was designed with direction given by Iwi and cultural advisors. The facility was not to be a Maori or Pacific facility but was to be designed to reference Maori design philosophies and respect cultural traditions. The facility includes a Whare and Fale within the facility and also a cultural meeting place outside of the secure perimeter to promote engagement between the staff, prisoners and community.

The Centre is an open campus style layout with a full size Rugby Field in the centre of the site. The accommodation mix includes 75% cell accommodation and 25% independent living in cottages.