Penitentiary Warehouse

Penitentiary Warehouse
© Stijn Poelstra | Maarten Meester

Penitentiary Warehouse

Buro NØRD Architectuur

MANUFACTURERS
Rodeca Gmbh

LEAD ARCHITECT
Maarten Meester

AREA
1200 M²

YEAR
2024

LOCATION
Vught, The Netherlands

CATEGORY
Grocery Store

Text description provided by architect.

The store is one of the labor facilities in the penitentiary complex. This building takes a special place within the penitentiary regime.

Penitentiary Warehouse
© Stijn Poelstra | Maarten Meester
Penitentiary Warehouse
© Stijn Poelstra | Maarten Meester

It is a social environment where inmates can earn some extra money and gain work experience. Important considering their resocialization after serving their sentence.

The work building consists of three zones; expedition, (grocery) shop and supporting / supervision facilities.

Penitentiary Warehouse
© Stijn Poelstra | Maarten Meester
Penitentiary Warehouse
© Stijn Poelstra | Maarten Meester

In order to make the flexibility and adaptivity capacity of the building as great as possible, the construction consists of trusses with a large span within which the space can be freely divided. 

Facades and interior walls are not load-bearing and can be modified quite easily. Stability of the construction is generated by cross-braces in two directions between the columns.

Penitentiary Warehouse
© Stijn Poelstra | Maarten Meester
Penitentiary Warehouse
© Stijn Poelstra | Maarten Meester

On the side of the expedition areas, the trusses form a canopy with a generous overhang under which loading and unloading can take place in a dry and sheltered environment.

Focus point in the design is to contribute to the inmates' perspective on life outside the walls. By turning the store into a spacious, light and comfortable space in which all security components are (invisible) integrated into the design as carefully as possible.

Penitentiary Warehouse
© Stijn Poelstra | Maarten Meester
Penitentiary Warehouse
© Stijn Poelstra | Maarten Meester

The use of warm, robust materials has created a working environment that can withstand a knock or two, but with a comfortable appearance.

Sustainability and circularity have become a fundamental pillar in the justice housing policy in recent years.

Penitentiary Warehouse
© Stijn Poelstra | Maarten Meester
Penitentiary Warehouse
© Stijn Poelstra | Maarten Meester

The construction of the store consists of columns and trusses made of CLT wood. The facades are made of untreated thermally modified wood and polycarbonate cladding.

The plinth is made of prefabricated epoxy concrete elements. The structure, facade and roof can be completely dismantled, so that the store can be moved to another location in the complex (or outside) over time.

Penitentiary Warehouse
© Stijn Poelstra | Maarten Meester


Penitentiary Warehouse
© Stijn Poelstra | Maarten Meester
Penitentiary Warehouse
© Stijn Poelstra | Maarten Meester
Penitentiary Warehouse
© Stijn Poelstra | Maarten Meester
Penitentiary Warehouse
© Stijn Poelstra | Maarten Meester
Penitentiary Warehouse
© Stijn Poelstra | Maarten Meester


Penitentiary Warehouse
Plan
Penitentiary Warehouse
Plan - Roof


Penitentiary Warehouse
Elevation - East
Penitentiary Warehouse
Elevation - West


Penitentiary Warehouse
Section
Penitentiary Warehouse
Section


Penitentiary Warehouse
Detail
Penitentiary Warehouse
Detail
Penitentiary Warehouse
Detail
Penitentiary Warehouse
Detail
Penitentiary Warehouse
Detail
Penitentiary Warehouse
Detail
Penitentiary Warehouse
Diagram
Penitentiary Warehouse
Detail