ARCHITECTURE FOR CLIMATE AND COMMUNITY
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Het Dorp Assisted Living Facility

Arnhem, the Netherlands
Het Dorp is designed from the inside out, with a deeply user-centred approach that places autonomy, dignity and daily experience at the heart of the architecture. As the first realised building in the renewed village, the assisted living facility and innovation centre form a foundation for a green, inclusive neighbourhood where people with and without disabilities live side by side. The stepped volume is oriented towards the sun and the surrounding landscape, offering generous daylight, views and collective outdoor spaces that connect residents to nature and to each other.
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At the base of the building, the Academy functions as an innovation hub where residents, care providers, researchers and companies work together to develop new ways of living more independently. The terraces above shape both roof and ceiling of this shared space, physically and conceptually linking living and learning. By folding the façade inward, the building creates a readable spatial interface between homes and the Academy, allowing residents to visually orient themselves through the tall central space and reinforcing a sense of connection without overstimulation.

The apartments are designed as calm, private domains that support everyday independence. Based on Active House principles, they maximise daylight, fresh air, comfort and views, while integrated assistive technologies allow residents to control their environment intuitively. Wide corridors and collective terraces encourage informal encounters, while multiple routes through the building offer choice in levels of interaction and sensory input. Materials are deliberately restrained, tactile and acoustic comfort is carefully addressed, and the landscape gently shapes access and movement. Together, architecture, technology and care form an environment that empowers people to regain control over their lives — quietly, confidently and on their own terms.
Project credits
Client
Siza, Arnhem
Location
Arnhem, the Netherlands
Program
5000m2, 36 apartments and an innovation center
Status
Completed 2020

process management
vb&t projectmanagement B.V. Eindhoven, Lijn Ontwikkeling Boxtel, An Archi B.V. Zoetermeer
Contractor facade and casco
Tricon bouw, Velp
Contractor interior
Vense Projecten B.V., Apeldoorn
Installations
Groen & Aldenkamp Installatietechnieken B.V., Woerden
Facade
Kingspan Unidek SIPS / Alucobond
Design credits
design
Duzan Doepel, Eline Strijkers with Kasper Zoet, Guido Duba, Mikolai Brus, Riekie Brokking, Jaap van Dijk and Joeri Bellaard
construction
Imd, Rotterdam
advisor installations
Peter Prins, Woerden
Images
APA Foto
related projects
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Dutch Windwheel
Global development several locations
Spring House
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