Aruna Lutter

At my workplace in the De Pelkwijk residential care centre in Winterswijk, I see daily how lonely many elderly people feel. Many spend most of their days alone in their rooms, without regular visits from family or friends. Although activities like shuffleboard and bingo are organised, loneliness remains a significant problem. At the same time, I see how a small gesture, like a quick conversation, can make a big difference in their day. The ageing population in the Netherlands is increasing, which only exacerbates this problem.

What strikes me is the positive response of elderly people to the presence of children. As soon as a child walks through the hallways, they brighten up, seek out the children, and spontaneously smile. This gave me the idea for an architectural concept that combines a playgroup and a daycare centre for elderly people. By bringing both groups together in a shared space, valuable social interactions can arise that reduce loneliness among elderly people and simultaneously contribute to the development of children.

This concept not only offers seniors a chance to feel less lonely, but also helps children in their social and emotional development. By creating an environment where both generations naturally come together, a valuable relationship develops between young and old, contributing to everyone's well-being.

With this design, it becomes more than just a building, but a place where generations live, learn, and enjoy together.