Therapeutic Community Heřmaň – SANANIM
Therapeutic Community — The community serves clients of the SANANIM organization who are recovering from drug addiction. It involves an older clientele with many years of drug use. Clients spend approximately 1 year in the community, after which they transition to aftercare programs. Therapy consists of psychotherapy, occupational therapy, social work, sports activities, and other components. It takes place in several phases, gradually increasing autonomy, responsibility, and expectations placed on the client. The facility has a capacity of 20 beds.
History — The agricultural estate "U Karáska" can be traced back on maps from the I. military mapping between 1764-1768. It is located in solitude between two riverbeds of the Blanice River, near the village of Heřmaň in Southern Bohemia. The estate includes agricultural land and a camping area.
Two renovations in 1995 and 2005 irreversibly covered older layers and the division of the building. A wing with apartments and the owner's residence was constructed, featuring decorative gables and facades in a combination of natural stone, white plaster, and brick elements. Unfortunately, it lacks historical or operational context. Overall, the building was in an acceptable technical condition, so we focused with the investor on finding an optimal operational solution and the newly constructed mass.
Design — It was not possible to place all the necessary spaces of the community into the original building. For this reason, a connecting hallway has been added in the courtyard, and the community room stands outside the footprint of the estate. The accommodation for therapists and clients, dining room with kitchen, clubroom, office, and surgeries, are in the original buildings.
We want the latest stage in the history of the estate to be easily readable. The newly constructed spaces are made of wood and share the same structural and material solution. Details and connections are simple and minimalist. The exposed beam ceiling is supported by steel and wooden columns. Common rooms and spaces, both old and new, are connected by the flooring material – brick paving. This has symbolic significance; everyone should feel that once they voluntarily become a member of the community, the spaces are open to them. The paving is interrupted only at the entrance to the community room and dining room by a stone threshold. This signifies a break from the regular rhythm and emphasizes the special meaning of these rooms.
Community Room — From the perspective of the community, it holds special significance, serving for regular group therapy and open discussions between therapists and clients. The circle motivation is important in arranging chairs or as lighting on the ceiling. We considered whether the community room should stand separately within the estate to make its use festive and special. However, group therapy is a normal, everyday part of treatment. The result is a community room as part of the layout, yet it extends outside the original estate's footprint into the ornamental garden.
Hallway — The hallway is an informal meeting place and daily operational path, connecting everything. It is part of both the courtyard and the community, featuring an interior glazed space and an exterior covered gallery. The axis that runs from the entrance gate, through the main entrance and hallway, through the central wing of the estate and the community room into the garden is essential. It visually connects the external surroundings with the courtyard and the private garden on the northern side of the estate.
Dining Room — Shared meals hold great significance for community life. The dishes are prepared by the clients themselves. The dining room is located in the corner of the estate where the original stone walls of the estate have been preserved. Entry to the dining room is through an old stone portal. A large communal table from the former community in Němčice has been relocated to the dining room as an important artifact.
Clubroom — In the northern part of the barn, the original wooden floor has been inserted on massive beams. This space has been newly adapted into an informal clubroom for the community. It is one large space where therapists meet clients "off duty." The insertion is constructed independently of the roof structure and insulated from the interior side of the stone wall.
Client Accommodation — Client accommodation is in simple attic rooms. It was created by converting the original multi-story apartments and utilizing the vacant attic space. The inserted common corridor connects at both ends to the courtyard glass hallway via staircases. A part of the layout for clients is thus closed into another symbolic circle.
Film “Rules of Lies” — The community in Heřmaň was established by relocating the original therapeutic community in Němčice, where the film Rules of Lies was filmed. The film showcases the original spaces and lifestyle within the therapeutic community.
History — The agricultural estate "U Karáska" can be traced back on maps from the I. military mapping between 1764-1768. It is located in solitude between two riverbeds of the Blanice River, near the village of Heřmaň in Southern Bohemia. The estate includes agricultural land and a camping area.
Two renovations in 1995 and 2005 irreversibly covered older layers and the division of the building. A wing with apartments and the owner's residence was constructed, featuring decorative gables and facades in a combination of natural stone, white plaster, and brick elements. Unfortunately, it lacks historical or operational context. Overall, the building was in an acceptable technical condition, so we focused with the investor on finding an optimal operational solution and the newly constructed mass.
Design — It was not possible to place all the necessary spaces of the community into the original building. For this reason, a connecting hallway has been added in the courtyard, and the community room stands outside the footprint of the estate. The accommodation for therapists and clients, dining room with kitchen, clubroom, office, and surgeries, are in the original buildings.
We want the latest stage in the history of the estate to be easily readable. The newly constructed spaces are made of wood and share the same structural and material solution. Details and connections are simple and minimalist. The exposed beam ceiling is supported by steel and wooden columns. Common rooms and spaces, both old and new, are connected by the flooring material – brick paving. This has symbolic significance; everyone should feel that once they voluntarily become a member of the community, the spaces are open to them. The paving is interrupted only at the entrance to the community room and dining room by a stone threshold. This signifies a break from the regular rhythm and emphasizes the special meaning of these rooms.
Community Room — From the perspective of the community, it holds special significance, serving for regular group therapy and open discussions between therapists and clients. The circle motivation is important in arranging chairs or as lighting on the ceiling. We considered whether the community room should stand separately within the estate to make its use festive and special. However, group therapy is a normal, everyday part of treatment. The result is a community room as part of the layout, yet it extends outside the original estate's footprint into the ornamental garden.
Hallway — The hallway is an informal meeting place and daily operational path, connecting everything. It is part of both the courtyard and the community, featuring an interior glazed space and an exterior covered gallery. The axis that runs from the entrance gate, through the main entrance and hallway, through the central wing of the estate and the community room into the garden is essential. It visually connects the external surroundings with the courtyard and the private garden on the northern side of the estate.
Dining Room — Shared meals hold great significance for community life. The dishes are prepared by the clients themselves. The dining room is located in the corner of the estate where the original stone walls of the estate have been preserved. Entry to the dining room is through an old stone portal. A large communal table from the former community in Němčice has been relocated to the dining room as an important artifact.
Clubroom — In the northern part of the barn, the original wooden floor has been inserted on massive beams. This space has been newly adapted into an informal clubroom for the community. It is one large space where therapists meet clients "off duty." The insertion is constructed independently of the roof structure and insulated from the interior side of the stone wall.
Client Accommodation — Client accommodation is in simple attic rooms. It was created by converting the original multi-story apartments and utilizing the vacant attic space. The inserted common corridor connects at both ends to the courtyard glass hallway via staircases. A part of the layout for clients is thus closed into another symbolic circle.
Film “Rules of Lies” — The community in Heřmaň was established by relocating the original therapeutic community in Němčice, where the film Rules of Lies was filmed. The film showcases the original spaces and lifestyle within the therapeutic community.
The English translation is powered by AI tool. Switch to Czech to view the original text source.
0 comments
add comment
