Armed Forces Rehabilitation Center - A.R.C.

Abstract

This project has been made as a graduation project for the Heritage and Architecture Graduation studio at the Delft University of Technology. The project is situated in the Hembrug Area. Hembrug is located near the Dutch cities of Amsterdam and Zaandam. The Hembrug site is a former military production site initially part of the Stelling van Amsterdam. It was located in such a way that when the Netherlands would come under attack, it would have all its military production protected and centred. The Hembrug area has recently been vacated by both the Dutch ministry of Defence and the company which made parts on the site, Eurometaal. The buildings now lay vacant and desolate. This is a shame as there are many historically important buildings within the area, including 50 monuments. The area is in need of a new use and redevelopment. Of the entire Hembrug Area, this plan focusses on an area known as The Changeover Zone. Drawing inspiration from the sites historic functions, the tough buildings and its secluded location, a new military function, but not a production function, was searched for. During research, a particular current need of the armed forces was identified, a rehabilitation facility. Up to 400 Dutch military members each year report life limiting problems sustained from their time in the forces 6 months after leaving. These problems can be both physical problems and mental health related. When initial care has been received, the men and women face a society which is not used to dealing with their specific issues and members of society can be outright dismissive of problems faced by military personnel. The concept therefore is to design a rehabilitation facility to aid in a more graceful and hopefully better return to society as a whole. The Armed Forces Rehabilitation Center, to be referred to as A.R.C. is a rehabilitation centre focused on 2nd phase care. By creating a small scale society of kindred men and women in which one can receive care if required but is fully self-supporting in every aspect, a level between the Armed forces and society is created. By arranging the facility as a city block with separate functions in each building centred around a square, people are forced to leave their housing but can still do so in a safe environment. Having to cross the square each time one goes to a different functions also functions as a stimulant for spontaneous interactions and making friends. These friends will then be of great help during the rehabilitation. By creating the square and creating a new raised footbridge, a dynamic range of levels of privacy is created. A person living in this facility is free to move between these levels, allowing one a gradual move back into the public.