Bellevue Hospital Outposted Therapeutic Housing Units

The renovation of the 2nd floor of the H-Building at Bellevue Hospital represents a significant milestone in New York City’s program to replace its jails and close Rikers Island. This project marks a departure from the outdated jail system, focusing on integrating treatment within a secure, controlled setting to promote wellness and rehabilitation. The design team worked closely with the Department of Correction (DOC) and the New York State Commission of Correction to ensure that all correctional aspects of the project were properly addressed.

The renovated space is designed to accommodate 106 male inpatients with various needs, including medical, behavioral health, and substance use disorder issues. The primary goal was to create a normative and healing environment that balances privacy and security while ensuring that all patient spaces are ligature-resistant, durable, and secure. One of the most innovative solutions developed by the design team was the creation of a secure outdoor recreation area. This was achieved by constructing a pavilion over the existing emergency room entrance, which is connected to the 2nd floor via a sky bridge. To further enhance the building’s performance and security, the exterior windows were replaced with custom-designed assemblies that offer both high thermal performance and enhanced security features.

Photo Credit: Urbahn Architects PLLC (Rendering)