Heist-op-den-Berg - Residential care centre

The design brief for the landscape integration and construction of a new residential care home in Heist-op-den-Berg was awarded to Eagles of Architecture, in collaboration with subcontractors vzw Ik, Wij, Cluster Landschap & Stedenbouw, IRS Studiebureau and Bureau De Fonseca.

The design team impressed with a progressive and innovative care concept. Through a critical analysis of the feasibility study, an adapted volumetry is proposed. In this way, the designers succeed in intelligently integrating the relatively substantial care programme into the existing residential context. The concept of ‘care for the neighbourhood’ is applied in an integrated manner: the project aligns spatially and in terms of scale with the residential area and strengthens the relationship with Stationsstraat via a green space, which acts as a connecting element between the town centre and the care site.

The decisive factor is the choice of a cluster typology to support a care concept based on small scale, homeliness and a close relationship with the outdoor space. This typology enables direct connections between rooms, living spaces and gardens and offers a strong alternative to traditional, large-scale residential care models. The stacked pavilions, organised around meandering corridors, promote social interaction, not only for residents and staff, but also for visitors and the neighbourhood. The abundant natural light and carefully framed views ensure a strong connection with the outdoor spaces. The decision to locate only service functions and parking underground, whilst keeping the care programme as much as possible above ground, enhances the quality of living and life. ‘Care for staff’ is also given explicit attention, including through the provision of high-quality workspaces and a centrally located commercial kitchen serving as a meeting space.

The client particularly values the robustness and adaptability of the concept. The design team has demonstrated that all essential programme components within phase 1 can be realised on the site of the Vlinderparking. Questions regarding organisation, management and logistics are addressed through well-considered scenarios, with the key advantage being the possibility of vertical and horizontal integration of residential groups. This underlines the flexibility and future-proofing of the basic structure and the layout of the rooms.

Furthermore, the composition of the design team inspires confidence in the substantive, organisational and legal underpinnings of the proposal. The complementary nature of the partners involved and their shared vision guarantee a coherent and professional approach. Taken as a whole, the design demonstrates a strong, cohesive vision in which innovation and social engagement go hand in hand, resulting in a particularly solid foundation for a forward-looking and exemplary care project.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

The local authorities of Heist-op-den-Berg and the welfare association De Zilveren Zwaan want to create a lively and sustainable welfare campus on the Public Centre for Social Welfare (OCMW) site and the Vlinder parking lot, with maximum connection to the area and the surroundings and a low-threshold meeting place for young and old. The first major realization within the long-term vision for the welfare campus concerns the landscape integration and the construction of a residential care centre on the site of the Vlinder parking lot. The clients have earmarked €16.5 million (excl. VAT and fees) for this assignment.

The site is located on the backbone of the small-town area, right at the central pivot point. Both the railway station and the town centre are within walking or cycling distance. The aim is to add a slow road, complementary to the linear, urban and commercial fabric along Bergstraat. This connection must make it possible to connect Bergstraat to the residential fabric behind it. It can also act as the support of a green and blue network for pedestrians and cyclists.

The new residential care centre with at least ninety ‘rooms’ will be a first major realization in the new public space that will connect Stationsstraat with Keverstraat. The residential care centre will be the base for public services such as a local service centre, ‘Huis van het Kind’ (House of the child) and the ‘Thuiszorg’ (Home care) team. The latter supports elderly people living independently in their own homes. The Welfare Campus is part of a care-strategy vision with an integrated approach, in which home care and residential care blend seamlessly. Integrating these (care) functions in a single building creates opportunities, but also requires a delicate balance between easy accessibility, on the one hand, and peace and privacy, on the other.

The relationship of the residential care centre to its outdoor environment is of particular interest: a brasserie with a terrace, multipurpose and modular spaces, safe play areas for children, a (vegetable) garden for residents, sitting and resting areas, etc. The outdoor environment ensures the connection to the other functions on-site and interweaves care and neighbourhood, centre and periphery.

There are high ambitions for the new residential care centre, anchored in the care-strategy plan. The guiding principles are those of small-scale normalized living (living in smaller communities), with a focus on homeyness, autonomy, security and social interaction. The concept underlying the residential care centre should be efficient, flexible and adaptable to meet new needs, such as the combining of rooms or the creation of more spacious premises for alternative functions. Furthermore, the design team should take into account the principles of sustainable construction, translated into an energy- and maintenance-friendly approach, high quality of life and user-friendliness. The overall project should become a paragon of accessibility, low-threshold approachability, homeyness, openness and originality.

On the welfare campus, the public space will be an important support for the new residential care centre, on the one hand, and the future development on Stationsstraat, on the other. In a subsequent phase, the historically valuable buildings will become part of a public and social site that will form the gateway to the future slow road and the residential care centre. A vision for this gateway is part of the assignment. Possible additional functions such as day care, short-stay accommodation, etc. and/or functions that meet local needs such as a day-care centre or space for organizations and associations should be explored.

The design of the public space must focus on accessibility, leisure and relaxation, depaving, greening, climate resilience, etc. but must also facilitate multimodal accessibility (by car, bicycle, foot or public transport).

This assignment falls under the Art Commissions decree (1 March 2019). The appointment of an artist will managed by a separate procedure. The designer is expected to consult with the artist and to do what is necessary to integrate his/her work into their design.