Platform on new construction, renovation, restoration and transformation
A new care complex is being built in Ede: the replacement new building for Het Maanderzand nursing home. The design emphasizes maximum freedom of movement for residents, sustainable materials and a strong embedding in the neighborhood.
The existing Maanderzand dates from the 1960s and has been rebuilt several times. The outdated shells no longer met current requirements for fire safety, sustainability and installations. After researching reuse of the existing buildings, complete new construction appeared to be the only feasible solution. Architect Rob van der Meer of GSG Architects explains, “What is very important in healthcare is that the way of caring and the target group are constantly changing. So you have to come up with a shell that is flexible, so that the building can also adapt in the future.” He translated this premise into the design: installations have been kept separate from the main load-bearing structure and spaces can be easily transformed. For example, two care apartments can be made into a couple's room, or a bathroom can be changed into a pantry. This also gives the building long-term real estate value.
A second important pillar is the living environment of residents. All living rooms are on the first floor and have a direct connection to the garden. Residents are supported with home automation. Through smart bracelets or necklaces, doors can be opened or closed automatically, allowing residents to move freely and safely through the building. “Despite people having Alzheimer's and limited ability to be self-sufficient, you want them to still be part of a society. That is of great value to every person, especially for this target group,” says Van der Meer. Large facade openings, lots of daylight and views of the surroundings reinforce this idea of a ‘healing environment.
The Maanderzand will be constructed largely of wood. The cladding is of thermally modified wood, while Heko Spanten of Ede supplies the wooden support structure. The prefabricated HSB facades are also biobased. Van der Meer: “With traditional materials, the facade would have cost more. In wood it is possible to give expression ánd to build sustainably.”
Sustainability goes beyond the choice of materials. There are solar panels on the high roofs, investments in a biodiverse outdoor space, and energy consumption is kept to a minimum. The design is compact and efficient, so no unnecessary spaces are built. This saves on both investment and environmental impact.
From an urban planning perspective, the choice was made to set the building volume back from the existing buildings. This creates two zones that function as ‘green lungs’ for the neighborhood. In addition to the Alzheimer garden for residents in 2027, vegetable gardens and a playground will be created for the neighborhood. “These types of care organizations are increasingly taking on a neighborhood function. We want to encourage people to come in from outside,” Van der Meer said.
What is also special about this project is that bond with the residents. Van der Meer regularly meets a group of residents there who used to work in construction themselves. “Then we drink coffee for 15 minutes and talk about the building. In the end, you do it for those people.”
