Building for seniors means special attention to safety, social interaction, and comfortable and flexible housing. These aspects are all incorporated into the design for the Grashof Senior Complex. The apartment complex in Rotterdam's Ommoord neighborhood consists of forty-four social housing units for seniors and was designed for Woonbron and Kristal.
Grashof's design optimally addresses the specific needs of seniors, with efficient, safe walking routes, galleries that maintain distance from bedroom windows, and a private area in front of the front door. The flexible floor plans can be easily adapted to residents' needs, such as an additional guest room or hobby room. The bedroom and bathroom can also be easily adapted for residents who become disabled or bedridden. This allows residents to continue living independently in the building well into old age.
Grashof is surrounded by greenery, making it pleasant for residents and neighbors. On the south side is the "neighborhood garden," an important open green space for the neighborhood, featuring tall, mature trees. The building's compact design even allows for additional parking space compared to the urban development program. Greenery is also a key element within the building itself and in the street-facing parking lot, with green facades, facade gardens, and green parking behind hedges and trees. Finally, there are good views from and towards the building on all sides, which is important for public safety.
Besides being designed for lifelong sustainability, this design pays extra attention to energy consumption and the environment. For example, we're saving energy by orienting the living rooms south-facing with ample glazing under an overhang. This way, solar heat is optimally utilized in winter, while it's blocked out in summer. On the north side, where the bedrooms are located, we minimize glazing and add extra insulation to prevent heat loss. The necessary heating and cooling is generated from geothermal energy storage. Grashof has achieved a GPR score of 7.8 for this.