Platform on new construction, renovation, restoration and transformation
A building for acute mental health care (GGZ) doesn’t have to be closed off and impersonal. The new High Intensive Care (HIC) facility at GGZ Noord-Holland-Noord in Heiloo proves just that. The building combines an open, almost urban design with robust and sustainable construction. De Geus Bouw is carrying out the project and is now working toward its completion.
The HIC is designed for acute admissions and accommodates various target groups: from young people to seniors. Instead of spreading these groups across separate buildings, they have been brought together in a single care facility with six clusters. Each cluster has its own distinct character, tailored to its target group. “That vision is literally reflected in the architecture and layout,” says Brenden Scheltema, operations manager at De Geus Bouw. “From the central entrance, a sort of ‘street’ runs left and right into the building. On either side are different clusters. The underlying care philosophy is that clients gradually work their way forward and can eventually return to the street and the outside world.”
The design reinforces that idea. Within the clusters, the walls have a calm, functional finish, while the central street features a warm terracotta color that is also reflected on the walls. Wooden trusses and plenty of natural light give the 80-meter-long corridor an open, almost outdoor-like atmosphere. Wood also features prominently in both the interior and the facade.
The project is also unique from a structural standpoint. “The building shell consists of a combination of different materials. The foundation is formed by a traditional foundation with insulated hollow-core slabs. On top of that stands a steel structure, combined with wooden structural components in areas where weight reduction is important,
”For example, above the central hallway. Wooden flooring panels were also used there,“ Scheltema explains. The floor plan is, incidentally, quite future-proof. ”Only the elevator shafts are constructed of sand-lime brick; about 95 percent of the interior walls consist of metal studs. At the same time, acute psychiatric care requires extra sturdiness. Some rooms must be vandal-proof. A stone-like construction was deliberately chosen for those areas.”
For De Geus Bouw, HIC Heiloo is much more than just a construction project. “During a project like this, you really get a glimpse into the various facets of healthcare, but above all, it gives you a picture of the state of our society,” says Scheltema. “And that’s quite alarming: directly or indirectly, one in four people will come into contact with mental health care at some point in their lives. At the same time, HIC Heiloo demonstrates just how much the vision for psychiatric care is changing. Whereas mental health facilities in the past often had a closed, almost prison-like appearance, GGZ Noord-Holland-Noord has instead opted for space, light, glass, and connection.”
Moreover, this development is not limited to HIC Heiloo. As construction nears completion, De Geus Bouw is simultaneously working on a second project for GGZ Noord-Holland-Noord: the expansion of a forensic psychiatric clinic (FPA), also as part of a construction team. “For us, this confirms that effective collaboration goes beyond just a competitive price. During the bidding process, we placed a strong emphasis on delivering a compelling presentation and showcasing the construction team. That approach has paid off. The result is not only a remarkable building but also a partnership that leaves us eager for more,” Scheltema concludes.
