Blomsterängen Care Home in Hallsberg is a project where LAND, in collaboration with architects Marge Arkitekter, has explored how architecture can be used as a tool to create rich, supportive living environments for residents in care facilities. The project is now part of an ongoing research process aimed at developing the concept of quality within care environments from an architectural perspective.
A key part of the design of the care facilities is the possibility to easily step outside, either into a garden or onto a terrace for a breath of fresh air and having a sense of nature is here considered a fundamental quality. The indoor spaces have generous windows facing the outdoors, and balconies and terrasses provides an easy access to the outside. Even when having difficulties moving, green spaces are made accessible. At Blomsterängen, the outdoor spaces have been thoughtfully designed to offer high-quality environments with sensory richness, grounded in the understanding that greenery can have a healing effect, especially for older adults and those living with illness. Drawing on the research model of a “needs pyramid,” the courtyards have been shaped to provisde a variety of experiences, ensuring that both those seeking calm and those looking for activity can find their space.
The atrium gardens serving each unit are arranged in pairs made up by slightly offset squares for a dynamic sense of space. A lush and tactile planting in the courtyards allows the residents to come in close contact with greenery. A variety of flowering species are chosen to attract pollinators and support biodiversity. Raised planting beds also offer opportunities for cultivation and engagement for residents who are more active. The relationship between indoors and outdoors is always present, both visually and in terms of accessibility. Depending on the weather, there is always the option to find sun, shade, or shelter under a balcony if rain should fall.
The floor, cast in concrete, is designed with soft flowing lines that add flexibility to the layout. There are narrow passages that brings the greenery closer to the by-passers whereas other parts open into generous spaces for rest and socializing. Each courtyard includes a small water feature, that adds a calming sound of flowing water, contributing to the sensory atmosphere. At the main entrance visitors are welcomed with a warm gesture by a generous rose garden. Here, residents and their families can take a short walk or sit together in the green surroundings.
Central of the complex lies a larger courtyard, offering wide views over the surrounding meadows. This space is used for larger gatherings like midsummer celebrations or group activities such as outdoor exercise. It also acts as a social space when the care home’s auditorium is rented out to external groups, offering residents a connection to the broader Hallsberg community.
Blomsterängen is also part of a wider research initiative aimed at developing future care environments, linking theory with practice. This research builds on a previous study that identified four core qualities (4Q), developed by healthcare researchers, specifically occupational therapists, to guide the design of supportive and dignified care settings. These qualities come from an operational perspective, rooted in the everyday needs of residents and staff. The architectural teams behind Blomsterängen, LAND and Marge, contribute to the research with a design perspective. Assessing the design and function of the care home through the 4Q framework is a way to see how the space aligns with the architectural intent in already completed facilities.
The aim of the research project is to bring together cross-disciplinary knowledge, where architecture and research inform one another in a process that challenges assumptions and strengthens the relevance of the work. The long-term goal is to establish a shared platform that clearly define how these qualities work and lay the groundwork for a future framework of designing care homes and how to create more homelike environments.
Blomsterängen Care Home offers not only a thoughtful environment for its residents but also an example of how architecture and research can collaborate to shape the future of designing care homes.
Architects involved in the design:
Marge Arkitekter
Other credits:
Photocredits: Ulf Lundin and Johan Fowelin
Client: Hallsberg municipality and Länsgården Fastigheter AB
