A living environment with calm, safety and minimal stimuli
Craeyenburch residential care facility provides housing for people with intellectual disabilities. In Doelen 7, a residential unit where six people live with support, the challenge was to make better use of the limited communal space. The aim was to create a calmer environment, reduce conflicts within the group and provide each resident with a place of their own.
More space and choice
The original communal living room felt limited for six residents. Its open-plan layout made it difficult to find a place of one’s own, while the configuration around the kitchen could easily lead to confrontations. By incorporating an adjacent multifunctional room into the living area, the communal space could be enlarged and reorganised.
Comfort, safety and identity were key principles in the design. The kitchen was enlarged and given a second entrance, allowing residents to move around without getting in each other’s way. An open window with a bar keeps the closable kitchen visually connected to the living room.
A timber room divider with rounded forms creates a clear distinction between the dining and seating areas. Its integrated bench provides additional seating with a sense of protection at the back. Behind the semi-transparent divider is a more intimate seating area. The dining table is positioned near the French doors leading to the outdoor space and is visually separated from the seating area by a large planter. This creates distinct places within the room while maintaining clear sightlines throughout.
Calm through colour and material
As the residents can quickly become overstimulated, a calm colour palette and understated materials were chosen. Warm timber tones and three shades of grey form the basis of the interior. Moss green and celadon upholstery and terracotta doors provide subtle colour accents. The kitchen features light cashmere-coloured cabinetry and warm-toned floor tiles.
Plants bring greenery into the interior and contribute to a warm, homely atmosphere. Above the dining table, custom-designed lighting incorporating several contrasting colours creates a distinctive accent.
A place for everyone
The new layout gives residents more choice in where, how and with whom they spend their time. There is space to eat together or watch television, as well as places to retreat without becoming completely separated from the group. The result is a clear and homely communal living environment in which every resident can find a place of their own.
