Grieve Gillett Architects (GGA) was engaged by DCS after having designed and documented medium security
modular accommodation units with South Australia to deliver eleven modular accommodation units and a support building at Mobilong Prison, four modular accommodation units and a services unit at Mount Gambier prison and three modular accommodation units and a services unit at Port Augusta Prison.

Post design / pre documentation research had identified suitable locally based transportable / modular fabricators and construction detailing and documentation had been subtly modified to suit particular fabricator eccentricities. With accommodation building documentation in place, GGA documented construction site isolation and security and identified construction site access minimizing disruption to the operational prison within which the construction was to occur.

Tendered using a traditional lump sum construction contract the successful head contractor submitted a complying tender but also proposed an alternative construction solution. Originally designed for off-site transportable fabrication, the contractors recent experience with transportable fabricators and fabrication had raised issues of fabricator performance and quality of finish.

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In consultation with the Department of Planning Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) and DCS, GGA revised construction methodology to on-site erection of concrete slab on ground with a panelized modular walling system. Cladding and roof remained as colourbond metal cladding for simple economic weatherproofing, longevity of performance, industry standard fabrication and ease of maintenance. GGA designed the accommodation unit to standard component
dimensions to minimize waste, simplify manufacture, manage manual handling and expedite erection and finishing.