by ArchitectureWeek

The new Caritas House, an eldercare center in Moenchengladbach-Neuwerk, Germany, combines modern group-living with advanced environmental technology. Not only does the passively conditioned building require very little conventional heating energy, it provides unusually high air quality, which improves the quality of life for its residents.

As in any facility for people suffering from dementia, key design concerns were providing the right balance of security and freedom of movement in a home-like environment. It's also important to provide ample ventilation to help remove problem odors. The firm Rongen Architekten addressed these challenges in a design that also incurs lower annual heating expenses than similar facilities with conventional heating, air-conditioning, and ventilation systems.

The structure is of reinforced concrete, and the exterior walls are mainly of prefabricated wood sandwich panels. On the ground floor and on the gable walls, the exterior shell is brick.   >>>

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The Caritas House is an eldercare center in Moenchengladbach-Neuwerk, Germany, designed by Rongen Architekten. Photo: Rongen Architekten Common room in the Caritas House. Photo: Rongen Architekten   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.