Ginneve is a ‘typical Brabant’ residential care centre where people in need of care retain control of their own life in a familiar and comfortable environment.
At the invitation of the Brabant organization Woningbelang, EGM replaced an outdated residential building with a new, timeless residential care building that optimally responds to the increasing demand for care. The new apartment complex contains 42 rental apartments intended for seniors who require care but who want to continue living at home for as long as possible. The remarkable building is located in the heart of the neighbourhood and serves the surrounding community with its health centre and restaurant: everybody is welcome and can drop in for a meal, a cup of coffee or a chat.
The striking residential care building responds in a flexible manner to guarantee a future in which people can retain control of their own life in a familiar and comfortable setting. The residential care centre is designed in such a way that residents can continue to live here even if their care needs increase.
Although the new building follows the contours of the old complex, it distinguishes itself in a variety of ways. Its sleek, silver-grey, dynamic appearance forms a deliberate foil with the surroundings. Publicly accessible (care) facilities are invitingly positioned at the tip of the building, behind a fully glazed plinth with a striking diagonal canopy. Well-designed spacious balconies offer views of the peaceful surroundings. An interior street cuts through the building, connecting the sidewalk in front with the street at the rear. This route carefully embeds the complex in the urban fabric.
Wide corridors with wood finishes create a sense of calm and space inside the building. Voids draw light in and connect the communal areas. Roof lights also admit plenty of daylight and visually connect the internal galleries. Owing to the generous dimensioning of the floor plan, which facilitates the provision of intensive healthcare, the apartments are brighter and boast fine views.
The multifunctional, compact meeting area on the ground floor was designed by EGM interior. Extending along the long side of the meeting area is a continuous storage wall that connects the various areas together. This elongated furniture object is divided into various contrasting elements, giving it the character of a cabinet of curiosities: a range of compartments and cabinets in which everything can be stored and displayed.
The flexible layout of the meeting area allows it to be used for all sorts of purposes: eating a meal, drinking a cup of coffee, staging activities and social events. The full-height glass front lets daylight flood inside and allows the interior space to spill out onto the outdoor terrace. The warm, inviting atmosphere and the accessibility of the building reflect a typically Brabant feel. To enhance this sense of coming home, Brabant Red Check is used as the tile pattern in the open kitchen.
Since the opening, this room has become not only the meeting area within the complex, but also the focus of all neighbourhood activities; hence the apt Brabant name ‘De Zoete Inval’ which roughly translates as ‘Open House’.
The building facade consists of special ClickBricks. These specially made and completely reusable bricks are stacked dry with the help of a stainless steel clip. No masonry work is involved, which makes the system maintenance-free and durable. The Ebony tints of the brickwork lend the building a luxurious and modern appearance.
In short: a residential care building that is innovative in terms of sustainability and quality of life, and meets the latest standards in these areas.