Transitional Women’s Living Unit

The Transitional Womens Living Unit (TWLU) is a medium security correctional centre residence designed by KZA specifically for female inmates, as part of the Whitehorse Correctional Centre by DGBK Architects. In return for good behaviour, inmates are transferred into this 9-bed facility which has a residential character and allows for greater independence. Inmates prepare their own meals and are allowed to walk within the secure perimeter on their own.

The building is designed to be residential in scale, however it differentiates itself from a typical domestic residence. Exterior windows are proportioned similar to correctional centre windows. These openings are aligned with interior corridors and the four cardinal directions for natural light along all axes. The building has a gentle sloping berm at its base and a sloping wood soffit to provide some contouring against sharp 90 degree walls and corners.

This building was constructed by local construction crews from the Kwanlin Dün First Nation upon whose traditional territory the City of Whitehorse sits.

CLIENT
Government of Yukon

LOCATION
Whitehorse

YEAR
2008