AUGUSTINUM KLEINMACHNOW TREFFPUNKT

When we received the commission from Augustinum to build a day-care facility for people with dementia, we were immediately fired with enthusiasm. Our founder Sebastian cared for people with dementia during his community service, and so the subject has long been close to OOW’s heart. We also believe that good architecture can unfold its full power in the healthcare sector in particular: even seemingly small structural details can improve lives in lasting ways.Estimates show just how necessary an architecture for people with dementia in need of care is: according to these, the number of those affected in Germany will rise considerably by 2050. Experts at the NGO Alzheimer Europe forecast that the number of people with dementia could increase from 1.6 million (2018) to 2.7 million (2050). Instead of 1.9 per cent, 3.4 per cent of the population would then be affected.

With the new day-care facility, OOW wanted to bring together three factors: an absolute sense of homeliness, outstanding architectural quality and aesthetics, as well as a high degree of functionality. In short: to create a care facility that does not feel like one. We are convinced that, in doing so, we have created a model for the future of how people in need of care live and dwell: buildings that are homely without any compromise on aesthetics and, at the same time, highly functional.

The challengeOOW wanted to bring together three factors with the new day-care facility: an absolute sense of homeliness, outstanding architectural quality and aesthetics, as well as a high degree of functionality. In short: to create a care facility that does not feel like one. We are convinced that, in doing so, we have created a model for the future of how people in need of care live and dwell: buildings that are homely without any compromise on aesthetics and, at the same time, highly functional. The solution The spatial layout serves the needs – and a clever choice of materials increases homeliness and fitness for useTogether with our client we looked at dementia facilities in Germany and abroad, interviewed carers and also evaluated the experience gained at the Itzel-Sanatorium residential care facility near Bonn. This, too, is run by the Augustinum Foundation. On this basis we developed an architecture that puts the needs of residents and carers at its centre.In conversations with the carers we quickly picked up that care for people with dementia is really only effective in small groups of 4–5 people – which is why we decided against large halls. The large floor area, which previously housed a small shop and a café, was divided into small, wave-shaped units. This created flowing spaces so that activity and rest take place close to one another and groups can change more easily. Adjoining the central lounge area we add rooms for activation, an atelier and an area for visits. In the activation room, alongside classic offerings such as ball games and gymnastics, there is also space for special ones: a table turns into a touchscreen on which you can catch beetles and blow leaves away – a clever projection from the ceiling.The ‘Snoezelen room’ is the central quiet room. Its colours and lighting are muted – here you can come to rest and take a nap.The kitchen opens onto the dining area. A kitchen island invites people to join in – with waffles or scrambled eggs, for example. And if the energy for that is lacking, you can still watch the apple cake baking in the oven. Flush-mounted induction hobs finish the cooking on request, or keep food warm. We concentrate the focus on eating through the large table, which was deliberately made round: this makes it easy to add another chair in between whenever a resident needs help. All furniture and materials were chosen so that they not only look good but are also fit for use in a care facility. The handrails, for instance, are three-dimensionally milled from solid oak and oiled. The floor covering is of robust vinyl, yet has the appearance of wood. In the kitchen, engineered stone worktops with a small groove are fitted – running a finger along it gives orientation, and no handrail is needed. Indirect lighting is set into the wall projections. And to create a contrast between floor and wall, a dark skirting board helps to define the room.Technical functions are made visible and invisibleBut it is not only the arrangement of the rooms; the furniture and technical details, too, are fully tailored to the needs of the users. The clever part: the technology is not meant to be visible, so that residents do not have to compromise on homeliness. Disinfectant and soap dispensers with sensors are hidden in the wash basin: here you have all the functions of a care facility, but one that does not come across as such. The same applies to the PC workstation, from which the care staff can keep an eye on the residents. What in normal facilities would be a glass box with files does not look like an office here – but like a piece of furniture that outwardly differs little from the other furnishings.Doors without handles, for example, are suited to the storage space that care staff need – but which is not meant to be accessible to those in their care. Doors used by the residents are set apart in colour and have handles. Light switches for the residents form a contrast with the wall; those for staff are kept tone on tone. Functions can thus be made visible and invisible. The difference between paternalism and guiding assistance shows in the design of the furniture.The same applies to the bathrooms: here a high-tech bath with a hinged door is installed, sparing residents an undignified procedure when getting in and out. While relaxing in the bath, the Samsung screen “The Frame” on the wall also helps, on which you can watch a film or view an oil painting from a gallery.ConclusionWhat has emerged at the Augustinum senior living residence in Kleinmachnow is a showcase model for the care of people with dementia. The OOW team is incredibly proud: “Our work for older residents is a genuine labour of love,” says Sebastian Blancke, Founder of OOW. “The combination of purpose, attention to detail and elegance makes them among OOW’s favourite projects!” The precision with which the team engaged with the life and living of people with dementia was something special: “.”

But it is not only the arrangement of the rooms; the furniture and technical details, too, are fully tailored to the needs of the users. The clever part: the technology is not meant to be visible, so that residents do not have to compromise on homeliness.

Disinfectant and soap dispensers with sensors are hidden in the wash basin: here you have all the functions of a care facility, but one that does not come across as such. The same applies to the PC workstation, from which the care staff can keep an eye on the residents. What in normal facilities would be a glass box with files does not look like an office here – but like a piece of furniture that outwardly differs little from the other furnishings.

Doors without handles, for example, are suited to the storage space that care staff need – but which is not meant to be accessible to those in their care. Doors used by the residents are set apart in colour and have handles. Light switches for the residents form a contrast with the wall; those for staff are kept tone on tone. Functions can thus be made visible and invisible. The difference between paternalism and guiding assistance shows in the design of the furniture.

The same applies to the bathrooms: here a high-tech bath with a hinged door is installed, sparing residents an undignified procedure when getting in and out. While relaxing in the bath, the Samsung screen “The Frame” on the wall also helps, on which you can watch a film or view an oil painting from a gallery.

Herausgekommen ist im Seniorenwohnstift Augustinum in Kleinmachnow ein Vorzeigemodell für die Betreuung Demenzerkrankter. Das OOW-Team ist unglaublich stolz: „Unsere Arbeiten für Senioren sind eine echte Herzensangelegenheit“, sagt Sebastian Blancke, Architekt BDA, Gründer OOW. „Die Kombination aus Sinnhaftigkeit, Detailverliebtheit und Eleganz macht sie zu Lieblingsprojekten von OOW!“ Die Genauigkeit, mit der das Team sich mit dem Leben und Wohnen von Demenzkranken auseinandergesetzt hat, war etwas Besonderes: „Manche Themen unserer Gesellschaft nehmen wir nur am Rande war, und überraschen uns dann selbst mit der Tiefe, mit der wir in diese eindringen können.“