Description

The extension of this nursing home in an outlying suburb of Copenhagen involved the building of a new wing and the extensive modernisation of the existing buildings from 1967. The project aims to upgrade the existing narrow, single-storey buildings, arranged in a grid pattern around two patios, to fulfil contemporary Danish standards as well as to improve the visibility of the entire complex in the neighbourhood and to link it to a larger and more visible rehabilitation centre with a day-care facility.

An architectural competition in 2002 was won by the architect Vilhelm Lauritzen who converted the existing 18 m² rooms into 35-36 m²-large studios and two-room flats. This conversion was achieved without major alterations to the building structure and while keeping the arrangement into sections of ten units each. Each flat has a kitchenette and disabled-access bathroom as well as direct access to an outdoor terrace, balcony or small garden. Differences in floor levels and door thresholds are bridged using gridded metal ramps and metal floor plates. A new two-storey L-shaped wing, whose yellow brickwork picks up the colour of the surrounding buildings, was built along the road on the west edge of the site to provide a further 26 apartments. As part of a restructuring of the complex, the architect also relocated the main entrance and a forecourt on the west side. The public functions such as administration, physiotherapy rooms, hairdresser and meeting areas are arranged along the extension of this axis. An attractive courtyard provides orientation within the building itself, and adjoins the dining hall and café.

The design of the wing for Alzheimer sufferers, accommodating 12 residents, retains the original 18 m² rooms and follows the Cantou concept. This includes clearly visible signage and orientation aids, a colour scheme conceived especially for dementia sufferers and the provision of a therapeutic kitchen. The latter is designed so that the residents can be involved in the preparation of meals or laying the table if they so wish. While cupboard doors are transparent so that crockery and cutlery is always visible and easy to find, switches for electrical equipment are concealed for safety’s sake. As is typical throughout Denmark, all the residents at Toftehaven can participate in day-to-day tasks in the home and the gardens.

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Originally published in: Eckhard Feddersen, Insa Lüdtke, Living for the Elderly: A Design Manual, Birkhäuser, 2011.