Residential Care Facility “De Schutse”, Rotterdam

Many care homes close. De Drie Nootenboomen, known for the successful Thomashuizen and Herbergier formulas, developed a new housing concept for seniors together with housing cooperative SOR. "De Zorgbutler" is a residential facility where self-employed older people can retain control of their own lives for as long as possible. Healthcare is always within reach, is characterized by its small scale and is organized and facilitated by healthcare entrepreneurs.

The De Schutse residential care center has been transformed for this concept. In the apartment building from the 1960s, 123 independent and affordable apartments for the elderly have been realized. There are three basic types and there is a common living room on each floor. In the plinth there are 15 apartments for "Thomas in Rooms". Here people with a mild mental disability live independently under the watchful eye of a care entrepreneur who acts as a counselor, landlady and care provider in one.

De Schutse continues as "the Pietje Bell house" and has been given a contemporary look. Original qualities have been placed in a new context. The existing façade has been repainted, whereby the existing layering comes into its own better. The double height of the entrance hall opens more towards the street. The dark, dated lift hall has been transformed into a light space flooded with daylight. And in collaboration with interior designer Danielle Lahou, the common traffic areas are beautifully finished and evoke the association of a luxury hotel. The joint living rooms have been carefully furnished by the care entrepreneurs themselves. After all, they are the ultimate bearers of the plan.

Client: SOR, Rotterdam

Design: 2015

Construction: 2016 - 2017

Contractor: De Vries en Verburg, Stolwijk