Project

AUGUSTINUM KLEINMACHNOW TREFFPUNKT

Client
Augustinum Stiftung
Services
Interior design and implementation
EIN PFLEGEHEIM, DAS NICHT SO AUSSIEHT​

Dementia Meeting Point

When we were commissioned by the Augustinum to build a day care facility for dementia patients, we were thrilled. Our founder Sebastian Blancke cared for dementia patients during his community service and therefore the topic has been close to OOW’s heart for a long time. We also believe that good architecture can unfold its full power in the health sector in particular: Even seemingly small construction details can improve life considerably.

Estimates show how necessary architecture is for dementia patients in need of care: According to studies, the number of people affected in Germany will increase considerably by 2050. The number of dementia patients could increase from 1.6 million (2018) to 2.7 million (2050), experts from the NGO Alzheimer Europe predict. Instead of 1.9 percent, 3.4 percent of the population would then be affected.
Studio, activation room and dining area

„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.”​

Sebastian Blancke, CEO

The challenge

With the new day care centre, OOW wanted to combine three factors: utmost homeliness, outstanding architectural quality and aesthetics, and high functionality. In short: create a care facility that doesn’t feel like one. We are convinced that we have created a visionary model for how people in need of care will reside and live in the future: Houses that are both homely and highly functional without compromising on aesthetics.

The solution

The room layout serves the needs of residents and caregivers – and clever material selection increases cosiness and usability Together with our client, we looked at dementia facilities in Germany and abroad and interviewed the nursing staff. We also evaluated the experiences from the Itzel Sanatorium inpatient care facility near Bonn which is also run by the Augustinum Foundation. On this basis, we have developed an architecture that focuses on the needs of residents and caregivers. In discussions with the caregivers, we quickly found out that the care of dementia patients is actually only effective in small groups of four to five people – which is why we decided against large halls. The large space in the building, which previously housed a small shop and a café, was divided into small, wave-shaped units. This has created flowing spaces so that activity and rest can take place close to each other and groups can change more easily. The central lounge area is connected to rooms for activation, a studio space and an area for visits. In addition to classic activities such as ball games and gymnastics, there is also room for special activities in the activation room: For example, one table turns into a touchscreen on which residents can catch bugs and blow away leaves – via a clever projection from the ceiling. The ‘Snoezelen room’ is the central relaxation room. It is subdued in terms of colouring and lighting design – here residents can come to rest and take a nap.

“Our work for senior citizens is a real labour of love. The combination of meaningfulness, attention to detail and elegance makes these projects some of OOW’s favourites!”

Sebastian Blancke, CEO

The kitchen opens onto the dining area. A kitchen island invites residents to join in – for example making waffles or scrambled eggs. If the patients ever lack the energy to do so, they can still watch the apple pie baking in the oven. Flush-mounted induction cooktops can finish the cooking or keep dishes warm. Our focus on the topic of food is emphasised by the large table, which was deliberately designed to be round: This makes it easy to add another chair if a resident needs help. Technical functions are made visible and invisible All furniture and materials were chosen to not only look good, but also be suitable for use in a care facility. The handrails, for example, are three-dimensionally cut from solid oak and oiled. The flooring is made of robust vinyl, but looks like wood. In the kitchen, artificial stone slabs are installed with a small groove – this provides guidance when sliding one’s finger along it and a handrail is not necessary. There is indirect lighting in the ledges of the wall. And to create a contrast between the floor and the wall, a dark skirting board helps define the space.
Care bath
Anteroom WC
Doch nicht nur die Anordnung der Räume, auch die Möbel und technischen Details sind voll auf die Bedürfnisse der Nutzer zugeschnitten. Der Clou dabei: Die Technik soll nicht sichtbar sein, damit die Bewohner keine Abstriche bei der Wohnlichkeit machen müssen. So sind im Handwaschbecken Desinfektion- und Seifespender mit Sensorik versteckt: Hier gibt es alle Funktionen einer Pflegeeinrichtung, die aber nicht so daherkommt. Gleiches gilt für den PC-Arbeitsplatz, über den die Pflegekräfte die Bewohner im Blick behalten können. Was in normalen Einrichtungen eine Glasbox mit Ordnern wäre, sieht hier nicht nach Büro aus – sondern wie ein Möbelstück, das sich äußerlich wenig von den anderen Einrichtungsstücken unterscheidet. Türen ohne Griffe beispielsweise eignen sich für Stauraum, den die Pflegekräfte brauchen – der aber nicht für die Betreuten zugänglich sein soll. Türen, die von den Bewohnern genutzt werden, sind farblich abgehoben und haben Griffe. Lichtschalter für die Bewohner bilden einen Kontrast zur Wand, solche fürs Personal sind Ton in Ton gehalten. Funktionen lassen sich so sicht- und unsichtbar machen. In der Gestaltung der Möbel zeigt sich der Unterschied zwischen Bevormundung und anleitender Hilfestellung. Das gilt auch für die Bäder: Hier ist eine Hightech-Badewanne mit Flügeltür verbaut, die Bewohnern eine entwürdigende Prozedur beim Ein- und Aussteigen erspart. Beim Entspannen in der Badewanne hilft zudem der Samsung-Screen „The Frame” an der Wand über den man einen Film oder Ölgemälde einer Galerie ansehen kann.

Result

All this work has resulted in a showcase model for the care of dementia patients at the Augustinum retirement home in Kleinmachnow. The OOW team is incredibly proud: “Our work for senior citizens is a real labour of love,” says OOW’s founder Sebastian Blancke. The combination of meaningfulness, attention to detail and elegance makes these projects some of OOW’s favourites!” The thoroughness with which the team explored the living and housing of dementia patients was truly exceptional: “Some societal issues we only are aware of peripherally, and then we surprise ourselves with the depth to which we can dive into them.”
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