Colourful care home

Hornbækhave is a new care home, where the focus has been on creating a caring environment and architecture that connects with the surroundings.

The outer facades of the one and two-storey buildings are clad in black slate for a distinctive yet harmonious look. The courtyard facades are clad in pale wood to create a welcoming feel while highlighting the structural aspects of the buildings. The choice of materials is part of a sustainable theme that includes, for example, green roofs and rainwater management. The artist Malene Bach has been involved in the project from the outset, and for the network of paths she has designed a sculptural pavilion made of recycled bricks in different shapes and sizes. Inside, Malene Bach has created a natural wayfinding system with colours and boards which are unusually tactile and analogue in their design. The art project has been supported by the Obel Family Foundation and the Danish Arts Foundation.

Varied blend of communal spaces

OK-Fonden runs the Hornbækhave care home according to five core values that support the vision that ‘life should be lived — all one’s life’. One of the values is ‘aesthetic surroundings’, for mental and sensual stimulation on a daily basis.  Efforts are therefore made to create spatially attractive, colourful interiors that also offer beautiful views. For example, there is a spa room for sensory stimulation, while the gym facilities are located in an appealing room with a vaulted ceiling and views of the courtyard and outdoor training facilities. All the ceilings are clad in Troldtekt acoustic panels in natural wood without bevelled edges, ensuring superior acoustics and an inviting atmosphere. The uniform ceilings create a strong sense of coherence between the corridors and the communal areas, and support the homely feel of the institution. A single-storey building houses the entrance area as well as a café, the library and a hobby room, which is a nice and flexible space.  The residential units are located in two-storey buildings, where TV rooms and dining rooms are seamlessly integrated with the corridors. The doors to the residents’ flats are arranged in pairs, and framed by niches in various colours which, together with name plates, ensure that each accommodation unit is easily recognisable.