The garden as the heart of the building.

This garden is located in the centre of a residential complex for older people with dementia. The ground floor of this beautiful building, designed by LEVS architects, acts as a multifunctional layer where various care and daycare functions are housed. The dwellings are located on the upper storeys.

The courtyard is located in the functional layer and visible from all sides through the glass facade that runs around the whole garden. The garden becomes the centre of the complex, a space where the inside meets the outside and people come together.

The garden is made up of large, friendly, bold gestures that stretch the space and make it look and feel bigger. The curved lines in the courtyard reflect and take inspiration from the building, creating softness that defines the informal and flexible nature of the space. Areas to sit in the sun, shade, sheltered corners, small rooms, and larger spaces blend together through the garden. The furniture, lighting and play objects are scattered throughout the garden to enhance the organic and informal character. Along with the water feature, the elements define pleasant places to stay.

We have chosen a soft playing surface in this courtyard, typically used on sports fields and play areas. The colour and texture of this surface is similar to the flooring used inside the building, making the connection between the inside and outside of the complex stronger. In addition, the soft material increases the safety of the visitors and makes the garden feel more like an outdoor room and an extension of the building.