Eikenboom is a convalescent centre for patients with psychosomatic conditions. VMX Architects studied different options to house this centre at the Zeist Sanatorium. These studies showed that only one of the existing buildings was suited, but it was too small to accommodate all functions. An addition to this building has therefore been designed.

The new building is located on the edge of the Zeist Sanatorium in a forest setting. In order to minimise the impact of the building on its surrounding a circular pavilion was designed. The ‘doughnut’ shape of the building allows all of the rooms to have a view to the forest. The patient bedrooms are located on the outer perimeter of the building. Staff rooms and storage spaces are arranged on the inner circle, facing a private courtyard. This arrangement minimises circulation spaces and staff/patient distances. The structure of the pavilion is a clear spanning arched portal frame. This industrial method is very economical and permits a high degree of internal flexibility, as there are no internal supports. Also this structure provides maximum freedom for future changes, an important aspect given the continous developments in healthcare.