In Rome, the construction of a residential area for people with dementia is in full swing. The first phase will be delivered in mid-July.
This project is based on a Dutch care concept whereby patients with different forms and stages of dementia are offered as much independence as possible. The concept is inspired by The Hogeweyk in Weesp from the Vivium Zorggroep and architecturally developed by Molenaar Bol and Van Dillen architects (MBVDA) from Vught.

In connected homes there is room for 6 residents. In the house with a living room, kitchen and a spacious bathroom, a regular living situation is created where residents can live as normally as possible despite their constraints. They are constantly challenged to do as much as possible themselves. Although the residential area is closed, there are residential streets and amenities such as a shop, a restaurant and a cafe with a nice terrace. For a visit to the store, hairdresser or village center you need to leave the house; put on a coat and close your front door, a real house on a courtyard or street. In this sense, the public space for the 120 inhabitants of the residential area has an important meaning. For this project, MTD was commissioned by MBVDA and collaborated with them on the design for public space and translated it into construction drawings and contract documents. MTD presented a Dutch design with Italian ingredients based on Italian standards and regulations. Street paving has been produced out of local materials, such as the natural stone Peperino and Travertin, in formats and patterns that express cohesion and diversity and support the orientation of the inhabitants. Pergolas and large trees provide shade, water and fountains bring cooling. With an Italian planting scheme featuring Morus, Magnolia grandiflora and olive, a pleasant living environment is realized. Rainwater is stored underground and reserved for irrigation. A real challenge, because surprisingly the peaks in the rainfall in Italy are much larger than in the Netherlands.