C.F. Møller Architects and Tredje Natur have won a competition to design Future Sølund, one of the largest and most forward-thinking residential nursing homes in Danish history. Not only will this center give the elderly the care they need, but it will also give them the opportunity to interact with people of other generations while simultaneously setting higher standards for well-being, security, functionality, and community values.
The existing Sølund care home, located in Copenhagen’s Nørrebro district will be replaced with this new, multi-generation community. The design integrates 360 care homes, 150 youth homes (which includes 20 homes for young people with autism spectrum disorder), 20 senior dwellings, a day care institution, and various public programs such as shops, cafés, workshop areas, and parking facilities. By combining these programs and housing types, the new site will become a central hub of urban activity and be known as a “House of Generations.”
The home is integrated into its surrounding site context, with the Sortedam Lake acting as the “backyard” and the lively Nørrebro district as the street front. The ground floor opens up into three large courtyards, which provide a social area for the residents. The main social area is a central courtyard called “Generation’s Square.” Not only does it serve as a meeting place for Sølund’s guests, but it also connects with public programs, which respond to the urban context.
The new day care institution is located on the lakefront with a newly designed pocket park, while the senior homes are situated on the ground floor- each with their own private front yard. Youth residences are located in a separate building, which includes a new passageway from the main street.
The landscape design envelopes the entire site in green space with public spaces facing the city, and three courtyards serving as semi-public spaces. These landscape features include stormwater handling and urban drainage. A roof terrace with a distinct façade acts as a lush pergola and an urban farming space.
Sølund is focused on creating ideal living conditions for the elderly through the combination of engineering, construction and logistics. Each home is well-lit and features elements which can be personalized by each resident. Whether the ederly spend most of their time in the home, or explore the surrounding areas on the site, they will always belong to a large community.
PROJECT CREDITS
Client: Samvirkende Boligselskaber/ KAB
Architecture & Landscape: C.F. Møller in collaboration with Tredje Natur
Engineers: Bascon, Transsolar
Collaborators: Smith Innovation
