ZENITH
Ronald Janssen Architecten & BAK Arquitectos _ Collaboration
Elderly Home _ Competition, Portugal
As a result of social, economic, technological, political, and demographic changes, architecture is constantly evolving and responding to new needs. In this context, one of the most significant developments of the twenty-first century is the aging population. The senior population is growing due to increased life expectancy and declining fertility rates. How can architecture support the autonomy, dignity, and well-being of elderly people while improving their quality of life?
The era of overly sanitized and impersonal senior housing seems to be over. Today, light, proportion, and simple, pure architecture define contemporary elderly homes. Our approach is characterized by strong conceptual ideas aimed at providing seniors with a welcoming environment that encourages contact with nature and sunlight, while also fostering close relationships among residents.
The project is located in a beautiful rural setting, where the connection with the surrounding landscape is evident. It is well known that landscapes have a calming effect, helping seniors to feel more relaxed, focused, and independent. The design also encourages family interaction, allowing children and grandchildren to visit, with the aim of creating spaces that improve the quality of these shared moments.
The goal of the project is to create a true home, not just a place to live. For this reason, psychological aspects were essential to the design strategy. Through geometry, spatial quality, and light, the project creates a warm interior embraced by a rhythmic boundary with the exterior. The result is a wooden house that conveys warmth and comfort.
Collective spaces play a fundamental role in senior housing, as they are directly linked to the idea of building community. These spaces help elderly residents feel comfortable and reduce the psychological sense of loneliness. The building acts as a protective shell that generates new social dynamics. More than a refuge, the architecture seeks to inspire optimism and vitality, especially for seniors who are often left behind by their families. At the same time, residents are provided with personal space, even while sharing a home with others.
The aim of ZENITH is to create a place where senior citizens can live a healthier and more fulfilling life, where simplicity and dignity come together. Through a constant dialogue between the individual and the spaces they move through, the project creates experiences and atmospheres that help users feel safe, comfortable, and independent, in line with our belief in how they deserve to live.
