Living together, caring together

Senioren Thuis, Antwerp

Social housing cooperation De Ideale Woning plans to replace this former boarding house and community centre (Cafe Zonder Bier) for dock workers in Antwerp's Londenstraat with a new-build project for single, vulnerable seniors. As part of the Senioren Thuis project, senior citizens can live alone together with the support of volunteers and a network of carers. On this small plot, architect Charles De Muynck designed a complex that consists of four stacked apartments above a communal kitchen and living area. The shared outdoor spaces include a roof terrace and an urban garden.

The façade is simple with a wide plinth that doubles as a seat for residents and visitors. The shared kitchen on the street side and the living space at the back create a warm and cosy meeting area in this large 'house' with a bicycle shed at the back of the garden. All of the collective spaces are wheelchair-accessible. The lift, the stairs and the corridors were designed to be as compact as possible. The apartments have a traditional layout with a living area and a terrace on the south side and a bedroom and bathroom on the north side, with a separate kitchen and storage area in between.