Panopticon - Revision history

Designing Buildings at 08:50, 3 November 2020

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	* The creative re-use of historic prisons.		* The creative re-use of historic prisons.

−	[[Category:History]] [[Category:Theory]] [[Category:Design]]	+	[[Category:DCN_Commentary]] [[Category:DCN_Project_Knowledge]] [[Category:History]] [[Category:Theory]] [[Category:Design]]

Designing Buildings at 11:45, 24 December 2017

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	* Security and the built environment.		* Security and the built environment.
	* Smart surveillance, video surveillance and VSaaS.		* Smart surveillance, video surveillance and VSaaS.
		+	* The creative re-use of historic prisons.

	[[Category:History]] [[Category:Theory]] [[Category:Design]]		[[Category:History]] [[Category:Theory]] [[Category:Design]]

Designing Buildings at 07:50, 22 December 2017

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−	[[File:Panopticon.jpg]]	+	[[File:Panopticon.jpg\|link=File:Panopticon.jpg]]

−	The Panopticon is an architectural concept design for institutional buildings, most commonly associated with prisons. It was ~~originated~~ by the utilitarian philosopher Jeremy Bentham in the late-18th century as a building that would serve as a system of control. The name was derived from the figure in Greek mythology, Panoptes, who was ~~an optimal guard due to being~~ a giant with a hundred eyes.	+	The Panopticon is an architectural concept design for institutional buildings, most commonly associated with prisons. It was developed by the utilitarian philosopher Jeremy Bentham in the late-18th century as a building that would serve as a system of control. The name was derived from the figure in Greek mythology, Panoptes, who was a giant with a hundred eyes.

−	The form of the panopticon was based around the idea that all the inhabitants (or inmates) of an institution could be ~~observed~~ by a single central figure (or guard) at all times~~, thereby allowing full surveillance~~. While it is impossible for the single figure to observe everyone at ~~one time~~, the idea ~~behind the design~~ was that since those under surveillance would not ~~be able to~~ know when they were being observed, they would be incentivised to act as though they were always being observed.	+	The form of the panopticon was based around the idea that all the inhabitants (or inmates) of an institution could be monitored by a single central figure (or guard) at all times. While it is impossible for the single figure to observe everyone at once, the idea was that since those under surveillance would not know when they were being observed, they would be incentivised to act as though they were always being observed.

−	In terms of architecture, Bentham’s drawings ~~planned for the panopticon to consist of~~ a circular structure with individual cells arranged along the external wall. These would face inwards towards a central rotunda or ‘inspection house’ from ~~where~~ the guard would be able to observe all the inmates.	+	In terms of architecture, Bentham’s drawings proposed a circular structure with individual cells arranged along the external wall. These would face inwards towards a central rotunda or ‘inspection house’ from which the guard would be able to observe all the inmates.

−	Bentham conceived the panopticon as ~~being~~ a suitable ~~structural~~ concept, not just for prisons, but for buildings such as schools, hospitals, asylums, and so on. Although no true panopticon was ever constructed, the radial concept was very influential on building designers, particularly 19th century prisons (e.g. HM Wandsworth, HM Strangeways, UK). Perhaps the closest example is the Presidio Modelo in Cuba which is now a museum.	+	Bentham conceived the panopticon as a suitable concept, not just for prisons, but for buildings such as schools, hospitals, asylums, and so on. Although no true panopticon was ever constructed, the radial concept was very influential on building designers, particularly 19th century prisons (e.g. HM Wandsworth, HM Strangeways, UK). Perhaps the closest example is the Presidio Modelo in Cuba which is now a museum.

−	Despite the ~~physical structure of a panopticon~~ never ~~being~~ built, Bentham’s concept has become synonymous with theories ~~and concepts~~ relating to surveillance, control and security.	+	Despite the fact that panopticons were never built, Bentham’s concept has become synonymous with theories relating to surveillance, control and security.

	= Find out more =		= Find out more =

Editor: Created page with "File:Panopticon.jpg The Panopticon is an architectural concept design for institutional buildings, most commonly associated with prisons. It was originated by the utilitaria..."

2017-12-21T16:48:32Z

Created page with "File:Panopticon.jpg The Panopticon is an architectural concept design for institutional buildings, most commonly associated with prisons. It was originated by the utilitaria..."

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[[File:Panopticon.jpg]]

The Panopticon is an architectural concept design for institutional buildings, most commonly associated with prisons. It was originated by the utilitarian philosopher Jeremy Bentham in the late-18th century as a building that would serve as a system of control. The name was derived from the figure in Greek mythology, Panoptes, who was an optimal guard due to being a giant with a hundred eyes.

The form of the panopticon was based around the idea that all the inhabitants (or inmates) of an institution could be observed by a single central figure (or guard) at all times, thereby allowing full surveillance. While it is impossible for the single figure to observe everyone at one time, the idea behind the design was that since those under surveillance would not be able to know when they were being observed, they would be incentivised to act as though they were always being observed.

In terms of architecture, Bentham’s drawings planned for the panopticon to consist of a circular structure with individual cells arranged along the external wall. These would face inwards towards a central rotunda or ‘inspection house’ from where the guard would be able to observe all the inmates.

Bentham conceived the panopticon as being a suitable structural concept, not just for prisons, but for buildings such as schools, hospitals, asylums, and so on. Although no true panopticon was ever constructed, the radial concept was very influential on building designers, particularly 19th century prisons (e.g. HM Wandsworth, HM Strangeways, UK). Perhaps the closest example is the Presidio Modelo in Cuba which is now a museum.

Despite the physical structure of a panopticon never being built, Bentham’s concept has become synonymous with theories and concepts relating to surveillance, control and security.

= Find out more =

=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki ===

* CCTV.
* Hostile architecture.
* James Crawford - Fallen Glory.
* Monument and context.
* Nineteenth century building types.
* Night vision surveillance cameras.
* Security and the built environment.
* Smart surveillance, video surveillance and VSaaS.

[[Category:History]] [[Category:Theory]] [[Category:Design]]