Hopkins Correctional Centre | Ararat, VIC

This project comprised of the provision of accommodation for an additional 350 prisoners, on top of the existing 382 at the Hopkins Correctional Centre. Cell block accommodation houses 62% of inmates with 28% in cottage-style accommodation.

Client: Commonwealth Bank, Bilfinger Berger Project Investments
Location: Ararat, VIC
MODE Expertise: Architecture, Interior Design

Hopkins Correctional Centre | Ararat, VIC

In joint venture with Guymer Bailey, MODE undertook the master planning for this project and shaped a township with the old cell blocks centrally located, with new accommodation.

The new prison precinct was contained within the existing secure perimeter line, while maintaining an adequate provision for recreational and open-space facilities, without over-intensive development.

In joint venture with Guymer Bailey, MODE undertook this project, shaping a township with the old cell blocks centrally located, with new accommodation to the east and west. The concept of “Main Street” represented a linear town centre, affording equal access from old and new accommodation communities. The Main Street forms an east-west spine and offers an address and sense of place for shared facilities, including education and programs, central kitchen and laundry, prisoner shop, operations management and support unit, visits, health, admissions and discharge and an indoor sports hall.

The master plan created a pedestrian linkage drawn from the strong geometry of the existing prison and provided line-of-sight linkages from all accommodation communities to operations management. The new prison precinct was contained within the existing secure perimeter line, while maintaining an adequate provision for recreational and open-space facilities without over-intensive development. The existing perimeter was replaced during the staged expansion with the current technologies adopted in Victorian correctional centres.