Carpe Diem Dementia Village / Nordic Office of Architecture

Carpe Diem Dementia Village / Nordic Office of Architecture - Exterior PhotographyCarpe Diem Dementia Village / Nordic Office of Architecture - Interior Photography, Table, Countertop, Chair, Windows, SinkCarpe Diem Dementia Village / Nordic Office of Architecture - Exterior PhotographyCarpe Diem Dementia Village / Nordic Office of Architecture - Interior PhotographyCarpe Diem Dementia Village / Nordic Office of Architecture - More Images+ 19

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Carpe Diem Dementia Village / Nordic Office of Architecture - Exterior Photography
© Knut Ramstad

Text description provided by the architects. Background. A treatment and housing center for people suffering from dementia has opened in Bærum, Norway. An increasingly important issue with the predicted ageing population is to achieve a better and more efficient care system for elderly people with dementia. Inspired by the De Hogeweyk dementia village in the Netherlands, the 18.000 m2 pilot project addresses these issues and provides a foundation for future dementia care in Norway. 

Carpe Diem Dementia Village / Nordic Office of Architecture - Exterior Photography
© Inger Marie Grini
Carpe Diem Dementia Village / Nordic Office of Architecture - Image 23 of 24
Elevation
Carpe Diem Dementia Village / Nordic Office of Architecture - Exterior Photography
© Inger Marie Grini

Nordic – Office of Architecture created a comprehensive architectural and aesthetic concept that provides the best possible quality of life for dementia residents. The buildings and outdoor spaces were designed to help residents increase their activity and master everyday life. Residents can walk freely throughout the facility without closed doors. The complex consists of two levels of care: 136 communal housing units and 22 high-care dementia units. Residents in the communal living areas enjoy their familiar domestic comforts and welcoming common areas such as cafes, community center, fitness facilities and other amenities. The 22 high-care dementia units are provided for residents who are not capable of using the communal functions.

Carpe Diem Dementia Village / Nordic Office of Architecture - Image 24 of 24
Diagram

Concept. Carpe Diem Dementia Village was designed to feel like a recognizable home rather than an institution. Designed as a unified village, the residences, treatment center, and community center, have a natural border and an open dialogue with the surrounding area. The common house and administration area, together with the main entrance, form a square with an urban expression. The residences were designed to create a homely atmosphere in a typical small house environment, enhanced with gardens and squares. The two-to-three story buildings are broken up into smaller units for a pleasant village feel. Varied building heights and roof typologies adds to the friendly neighborhood feeling.

Carpe Diem Dementia Village / Nordic Office of Architecture - Interior Photography, Table, Countertop, Chair, Windows, Sink
© Inger Marie Grini

Inclusive Design. People with dementia often have trouble recognizing their surroundings and orienting themselves. It is therefore crucial that outdoor areas are perceived as clearly identifiable spaces. We have added various markers and easily recognizable elements throughout these spaces to ease wayfinding for the residents. Moving away from the use of artificial guidelines, we prioritized natural guidelines in the form of edges, facades, material separators, etc. Outdoor and indoor spaces, as well as all pathways and entrances, have also been developed according to inclusive design principles.

Carpe Diem Dementia Village / Nordic Office of Architecture - Interior Photography
© Inger Marie Grini
Carpe Diem Dementia Village / Nordic Office of Architecture - Interior Photography, Kitchen, Beam
© Inger Marie Grini

Material use. The overall design concept distinguishes between city and country. The square is surrounded by buildings of urban character and homes in green surroundings. This is emphasized externally in the choice of materials. The main material in all the facades is brick, which varies with two color shades that give a bright and consistent impression. As a secondary material, untreated wood cladding and wooden arrows of ore pine are used to create variety and give a homely character. Throughout the facility, there is extensive use of long-lasting, maintenance-free and robust materials in the facade and permanent fixtures, meeting the environmental requirements for the Nordic Ecolabel.

Carpe Diem Dementia Village / Nordic Office of Architecture - Exterior Photography
© Inger Marie Grini

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Project location

Address:Dønski, Norway

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Carpe Diem Dementia Village / Nordic Office of Architecture" 04 Feb 2021. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/955466/carpe-diem-dementia-village-nordic-office-of-architecture> ISSN 0719-8884

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