The new High Intensive Care Centre, located on the St. Willibrordus estate in Heiloo, provides accommodation for 60 clients with severe mental health conditions. Admission to the clinic is considered an interlude in outpatient treatment and focuses on rapid recovery for clients in a period of psychological vulnerability.
During this short-term stay, human values are paramount. Inspired by the philosophy of Redesigning Psychiatry, GGZ Noord-Holland-Noord developed a future vision for the new clinic, in which care is centred on restoring disrupted relationships – the body, the self, others, the environment, and with time. Mecanoo translated this vision into a ‘healing environment’ at every scale. The surroundings, landscape, and interiors all play a role in the healing process.
The clinic takes the form of a pavilion interwoven with the surrounding landscape. It is a compact, two-storey building with gardens on both levels. A continuous canopy provides a natural, transparent boundary for the inner gardens, creating a gentle transition between inside and outside.
The building is open, filled with light and indoor greenery, and offers views of the surrounding landscape from every space. The timber structure and warm-toned materials create sensory comfort. The new HIC is a place where one feels human rather than a patient – where family members feel welcome, and where one can maintain dignity during times of emotional difficulty.
Six clusters are anchored in the landscape, each containing ten rooms, its own kitchen, and a shared living room. Individual rooms are low-stimulus, with seating alcoves and views of the inner gardens. In contrast, a centrally located, high-stimulus indoor street offers shared facilities such as consultation rooms, relaxation areas, and therapy spaces. This central street forms the backbone of the building: it connects all clusters and gardens and provides clear orientation. It is a space that encourages encounters and spontaneous interactions between clients, staff, and visiting family members.
The building is designed to allow clients to move between low- and high-stimulus zones – room, cluster, and street – enabling them to gradually take steps forward as they are ready. Entrances to the clusters are recessed into alcoves, making them recognisable and creating a soft transition to the livelier street. The layout of the spaces offers both an overview and opportunities for retreat, creating a balance of safety, shelter, and freedom in the living and working environment. The rich variety of spaces provides tailored support for a wide range of individuals with diverse challenges, personalities, and needs.
The design anticipates future flexibility. Thanks to the modular layout, the timber structure can be easily extended. The central street can be extended on both sides, allowing new clusters and gardens to be added. This modular approach, coupled with the generous width of the street, allows for easy accommodation of changes in function over time and the ability to meet future needs.