The institution in Nuuk
All three types of luminaires for the Nuuk correctional facility are carefully adapted to architectural as well as security requirements. The areas where inmates can move freely are illuminated by robust and recessed luminaires.
Project details
Address
Jagtvej, 3900 Nuuk
Installer
Arssarnerit AS
Consultant
Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects K/S
About Nuuk Prison
An asylum must meet different criteria than a prison, but nevertheless gives architects more freedom. Together with Friis and Moltke, the SHL studio is behind the new aesthetic prison, and Lumega was lucky enough to be chosen as the lighting supplier for this fine architectural project.
The Greenlandic legal culture deviates somewhat from what can be considered the norm in Europe. Even from the Danish legal system, Greenlandic justice and sentencing methods differ, despite the connection to the Danish system, as well as to the Danish Prison and Probation Service. The Greenlandic legal culture works with institutions rather than prisons, with a focus on measures rather than punishment.
Until now, Greenland has only had open prisons for serving sentences of a less serious nature. For more serious crimes, and thus harsher sentences, Greenlandic criminals have been sent to Herstedvester in Denmark.
This new facility in Nuuk is the first closed facility of its kind. The facility, which spreads over 8,400 square meters, has a total of 76 beds and is located in a beautiful and otherwise untouched natural area just 7 kilometers from Nuuk. The facility is of high architectural quality, which also meant that there were strict requirements for the lighting.
Challenge
Openness, light and views were the core values of the building from the beginning. With light as a core value, Lumega was involved quite early in the process. While some of the light is provided by large windows, the artificial lighting was to be a permanently integrated part of the facility, thus supporting security, overview and flexibility.
For us, it was a lighting solution that could be part of the high architectural quality, but also be robust and durable in an abrasive environment.
A panoramic window in the common area draws light and nature right into this section of the building, so the lighting solution primarily included the private spaces of the detainees, as well as other common areas such as outdoor space, work and visitor rooms.
One of the requirements was that the luminaires had to be recessed into the ceiling. This would not only meet an architectural requirement, as a recessed luminaire ensures clean lines, but would also make removal without tools impossible. Of course, it was also an absolute requirement that the luminaires had to withstand vandalism and impact.
Lighting solution
For lighting in private rooms, corridors and Stairways, we chose our NS11. No less than 636 NS11s were delivered to the Nuuk correctional facility and have since been integrated into the ceilings of the architectural building. We chose the NS11 for the Nuuk prison because it is a minimalist luminaire designed specifically for recessed installation. Furthermore, our NS11 has an IK10 rating, which means it is extremely robust and can withstand both impact and vibration.
For extra security, we chose to deliver the NS11 with special screws that only screw in and not out. These were screwed directly through the luminaire frame and into the ceiling, making it virtually impossible to remove without professional tools. The luminaires in the private rooms were thus double secured and will provide a pleasant light for many years to come.
For the remaining areas of the facility, we supplied 145 wall-mounted NS40 luminaires, as well as a larger track system with a matching NS70. Like the NS11, the NS40 is an incredibly beautiful and minimalistic luminaire that matches the high architectural quality. At the facility, the NS70 serves as flexible functional lighting in staff areas, as the luminaire itself is more exposed on a track than recessed in the ceiling or wall.
All three types of luminaires for the Nuuk correctional facility are carefully adapted to architectural as well as security requirements. The areas where inmates can move freely are illuminated by robust and recessed luminaires. With openness, light and visibility as core values, it was important that the luminaires themselves were virtually invisible, while the light should blend in with the natural light.
NETFLIX: World toughest prisons
The prison in Nuuk was featured in the famous Netflix series, where the host takes you behind the scenes of 19 of the most dangerous prisons in the world. Greenland's high-security prison in Nuuk houses extremely dangerous prisoners, many of whom have grown up with the guards who now watch over them.
During the design phase, the Lumega team was very security conscious, but the fact that the prison would be guarding such extremely dangerous prisoners was not in our wildest imagination at the time. It gives us an extra pat on the back that the lighting is fully compliant with security.
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