Elzenhof is an innovative residential project in Veenoord consisting of senior housing, with 21 social rental homes for elderly residents. The design features two single-story, angled building volumes that create a shared inner courtyard, a place for social interaction. The façades are constructed with light-colored brick, incorporating no fewer than 12 different patterns and textures.
Elzenhof offers a future-proof housing model that contributes to the flow of family homes within the village, while maintaining a strong connection to its surroundings and preserving nature. It is a unique design and, not without reason, award-winning. Elzenhof has been nominated for the Brick Award 2024 in the category Living Together.
Architect
This masterpiece was designed by Specht Architecten. This team focuses on creating valuable places in collaboration with others.
“Whatever the scale we work on, we are always concerned with interventions at a personal, human level.”
They actively incorporate the creativity, knowledge, and experience of stakeholders into their designs to collaboratively create a vibrant and sustainable living environment.
Sustainability aspects & the role of brick
This housing concept offers many opportunities for achieving sustainability goals. For example, it can be built compactly due to the relocation of families within the village. During construction, cir
cular sand-lime bricks made from recycled materials were used for the walls.
The green inner courtyard also incorporates many sustainable features. The design has been adapted to the existing site so that no trees had to be removed for construction. Additionally, a wadi has been installed in the courtyard—a water infiltration system that collects and purifies rainwater before retaining it underground.
The courtyard is filled with native planting and grass with a bee-friendly seed mix, which enhances ecological integration and strengthens biodiversity.
The exterior façades of Elzenhof are clad in brick. The outer appearance is robust and fits well within its surroundings. The sandy-colored Geel Bont/Groen Wasserstrich IJ brick from the Rivieren collection is laid in as many as 12 different patterns and textures. Visitors’ eyes are continuously drawn to the unique façades, discovering new details each time. This gives the single-story building strength and creates a dynamic appearance that continues to surprise.
Vision & program
In Veenoord, new housing for elderly residents was needed. Not just anywhere in the village, but in a way that would create a collective space and meeting point for seniors without losing the connection to the village. Encouraging social interaction was key to reducing loneliness and fostering connection among residents.
To achieve this goal, the architects designed a courtyard as the central meeting place. By using two angled building volumes and minimizing changes to the natural surroundings, a shared garden was created. Because the building volumes are not fully enclosed, residents still have the option to simply pass through without engaging socially if they prefer.
At the corners of these building blocks, shared living rooms are placed to connect the community with the village. These spaces can be used by both residents and neighbors for organizing activities.
