The TBS hospital (Custodial Clinic) is a large group of buildings, located in a so-called boskamer (a subarea enclosed by strips of trees, thus providing privacy) on the edge of the 3T residential area in Almere-Buiten (urban designer: Teun Koolhaas). It lies along the outer ring, in an area that is described as an 'inner-city' business park (a combination of business accommodation and company houses). Its accessibility is guaranteed thanks to 120 parking spaces and a nearby stop of the high-quality public transport line.
The linear multi-tenant building, which stands parallel to the road, houses the treatment department (the 'therapy and training', 'learning and working', and 'leisure activities' clusters), the services department (staff and service rooms, management, administration and supporting services, and common areas), the re-socialisation department and the entrance area (staff and visitors entrances, depot, reception and technical rooms). The multi-tenant building is seen as an elongated building with a central 'street' across two floors that are interconnected in the public area by means of double-height atriums. The 'street' is the actual organisational principle. The aim was maximum flexibility from architectural, constructional and electrical and mechanical points of view, with a minimum of 'fixed' elements.
The maximum and normal security residential areas (a total of 162 patient rooms) are located in the inner courtyard, behind the multi-tenant building. All residential areas have extremely spacious outdoor accommodation (garden, loggia and patio). The 'courtyard' is the distribution point to both the maximum and normal security residential areas, which are grouped along interior walkways. Traffic between the different building sections takes place across the ground level and in the open air, as explicitly demanded in the schedule of requirements.
In derogation from custodial institutions realised so far, the hospital in Almere will have an extremely open character, while maintaining the required security. By applying special combinations of glass constructions and trelliswork, a traditionally closed appearance has been avoided.
