Restorative Justice: An Interview with Deanna VanBuren

The Mediation Womb, a space "for restorative justice and peacemaking as a holistic model for change," designed by FORUM Design Studio. Image Courtesy of FOURM Design Studio

We've recently covered the topic of prison design on a number of occasions - more specifically the work of Architects, Designers and Planners for Social Responsibility, led by Raphael Sperry. ADPSR is campaigning to have the AIA forbid its members from designing prisons; however, we have previously questioned the effectiveness of this tactic, with other professionals, such as engineers, often willing to design prisons in the absence of architects. In another article on the topic, we suggested that the problem lies not with the ethics of architects, but with the US prison system itself.

This raised the question of how architects might actually change the system - are we stuck with the political landscape we are given, or are we capable of leveraging our expertise to make positive changes to society?

It turns out that Deanna VanBuren of FOURM Design Studio is doing exactly that. Through her designs, as well as workshops and events with the public and with prisoners, VanBuren is championing restorative justice: a form of incarceration centered around rehabilitation rather than punishment. We interviewed VanBuren to find out how she is encouraging people to accept restorative justice above punishment.

Content Loader
About this author
Cite: Rory Stott. "Restorative Justice: An Interview with Deanna VanBuren" 26 Aug 2013. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/419868/restorative-justice-an-interview-with-deanna-vanburen> ISSN 0719-8884

More interviews from ourYouTube Channel


You've started following your first account!

Did you know?

You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.