- Blog
- Design
- PAROLE. 2013 Swiss Awards for Bureau A.
![PAROLE. 2013 Swiss Awards for Bureau A.
PAROLE. 2013 Swiss Awards for Bureau A.](https://www.floornature.com/media/photos/38/8873/1_parole-2013-swiss-awards-for-bureau-a_home_sez.jpg)
![](/media/photos/38/8873/architecture_swissawards2013_bureaua_installation_3.jpg)
A partial representation of Geneva’s prison, Champ-Dollon, scaled to the ratio of for laboratory mice at 1:24, ignites debate regarding the role of architecture not merely as a commissioned building, but also as a way of raising awareness of politically charged issues, like correctional facilities.
![](/media/photos/38/8873/architecture_swissawards2013_bureaua_installation_2.jpg)
The sculpture proposed by the design team at Geneva-based practice, Bureau A follows the tradition of architectural sculptures as formal experiments, in order to physically show how architecture is involved in the social and political issues relating to every period.
![](/media/photos/38/8873/architecture_swissawards2013_bureaua_installation_door.jpg)
![](/media/photos/38/8873/architecture_swissawards2013_bureaua_installation_structure.jpg)
PAROLE is more than an architectural model it’s a symbol and even scaled to a ratio of 1:24, this mouse cage is not just a metaphorical prison, it actually addresses things like overcrowding and confinement in the Champ-Dollon facility. A visual exercise to explain the significance and perception of a prison that has reached its maximum occupancy.
![](/media/photos/38/8873/architecture_swissawards2013_bureaua_installation_stairs.jpg)
So, it outlines the image of an alarming social situation, all thanks to an art installation that engages observers by pushing their emotional boundaries.
![](/media/photos/38/8873/architecture_swissawards2013_bureaua_installation_cage.jpg)
The judges of the 2013 Swiss Art Awards awarded PAROLE first prize in the architecture category.
Project: Bureau A (http://www.a-bureau.com)
Location: Switzerland
Year: 2013
Photography: Dylan Perrenoud (http://www.dylanperrenoud.ch)
Awards: First prize Swiss Art Awards 2013 - Architecture
The works of Bueau A on Livegreenblog: http://www.floornature.com/blog/love-of-detail-a-doorway-in-the-city-centre--8391/, http://www.floornature.com/blog/a-sauna-on-the-rooftops-of-geneva-bureau-a-8279/