{"id":21501,"date":"2024-10-14T18:20:15","date_gmt":"2024-10-14T17:20:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/greenbuilt.dev.kodeks.no\/?p=21501"},"modified":"2025-09-09T12:37:19","modified_gmt":"2025-09-09T11:37:19","slug":"queen-ingrids-garden-a-groundbraking-sustainable-concept","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/greenbuilt.no\/en\/2024\/10\/14\/queen-ingrids-garden-a-groundbraking-sustainable-concept\/","title":{"rendered":"Queen Ingrids Garden: A Groundbreaking Sustainable Concept"},"content":{"rendered":"

Photo: Arkitema. Queen Ingrids Garden (Dronning Ingrids Hage) Photographer: Nils Petter Dale<\/em><\/p>\n

Posts from Property Owner, Architect, and Contractor. The posts may express opinions.<\/em><\/p>\n

Located in T\u00f8yen, Oslo, this dementia village draws inspiration from a similar Dutch initiative but adapted to Oslo\u2019s unique environment, achieving a high level of environmental certification. Dronning Ingrids Hage is a housing concept that promotes quality of life by enabling residents to use their individual resources in safe indoor and outdoor surroundings, where they can move freely and live as normally as possible.<\/h6>\n

This is a groundbreaking concept for dementia care in Oslo, and this village will make a significant difference in the lives of its residents.<\/p>\n

The building spans 16,700 square meters and has achieved Breeam Excellent, the second-highest level of this certification. The project was created in close collaboration with the client, Omsorgsbygg (Oslo Muncipality Care Buildings), Sykehjemsetaten (the Nursing Home Agency), and a team including Arkitema architects, HENT as the main contractor, and advisors from AFRY.<\/p>\n

The development is designed as a village with 130 housing units spread across 19 shared living groups, each hosting 6-8 residents. Every resident has their own room with a private bathroom while sharing communal spaces such as an entrance hall, living room, and kitchen.<\/p>\n

Process and Inspiration<\/h2>\n

\u201cWe may not always have the best solutions, but we will always try to improve,\u201d says Kirsti Kj\u00e6rulf, Managing Director of the Norwegian Municipal Technical Association.<\/p>\n

A few years ago, many Norwegian municipalities were inspired by the dementia village in the Netherlands. For the first time, a developer had placed the needs of people with dementia at the core of a housing concept designed specifically for them.<\/p>\n

A close friend of mine described being demented as: “the brain is like a swimming pool overflowing, with no room for more water.” I find that image beautiful. We know that at the bottom of the pool lie memories and experiences from the past. This understanding is central to the dementia village concept.<\/p>\n

Architecture for fond memories<\/h2>\n

When designing these homes, we use architecture to visualize fond memories and create a sense of safety and positive daily experiences.<\/p>\n

As developers and caretakers, we have an opportunity to foster good everyday lives, and we see more and more embracing this role.<\/p>\n

Sami Profile<\/h2>\n

Oslo has a significant portion of Norway’s Sami population. It\u2019s important for Oslo municipality to offer services to older people with Sami backgrounds who need nursing home care.<\/p>\n

At Dronning Ingrids Hage, we accommodate a Sami profile with familiar surroundings, including a fire pit in the woodland garden, a sensory stimulation cabinet in Drengestua with Sami objects, a Sami flag, and \u201cWelcome\u201d signage in Sami at the reception.<\/p>\n

There are also employees with Sami connections, and local brochures are available in Northern Sami.<\/p>\n

Arkitema Architect<\/h2>\n

Lead architect Iselin Thulesius explains that several key aspects were prioritized in designing the project: \u201cWe focused primarily on the room programme but also on the relationship to the surroundings and the city from which the residents come. Homeliness and familiarity have been the two most important qualities to achieve in this project,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

\"Arkitema<\/p>\n

Photo: Arkitema. Queen Ingrids Garden (Dronning Ingrids Hage) Photographer: Nils Petter Dale<\/em><\/p>\n

The building’s design reflects some of the architectural language of the nearby Lille T\u00f8yen Garden City, its closest neighbour.<\/p>\n

\u201cInternally, the building has been broken down into sections, and different characters have been given to the facades facing the three outdoor spaces. Gardens with different themes have been established, helping guide residents and visitors through the village,\u201d says Thulesius.<\/p>\n

Exterior and Interior Design<\/h2>\n

The facades facing the surroundings are clad in two shades of brick to provide a varied expression while harmonizing with the surroundings.<\/p>\n

\"Dronnig<\/p>\n

Photo: Arkitema. Queen Ingrids Garden (Dronning Ingrids Hage) Photographer: Nils Petter Dale<\/em><\/p>\n

Inside, the building is broken up into sections, with different characters assigned to the facades facing the three outdoor spaces, which the living groups are connected to.<\/p>\n

\"Arkitema<\/p>\n

The three outdoor spaces, the Town Square, the Woodland Garden, and the Park, each have their own landscape concept. Together with the inner facades, they form the basis for wayfinding for residents and visitors.<\/p>\n

\"Arkitema<\/p>\n

Photo: Arkitema. Queen Ingrids Garden (Dronning Ingrids Hage) Photographer: Nils Petter Dale<\/em><\/p>\n

Residents can move freely between the gardens and communal areas, continuously encountering surroundings that they can recognize from their past lives.<\/p>\n

\"Arkitema<\/p>\n

Photo: Arkitema. Queen Ingrids Garden (Dronning Ingrids Hage) Photographer: Nils Petter Dale<\/em><\/p>\n

Communal Facilities<\/h2>\n

The communal areas include facilities such as a shop, caf\u00e9, cultural hall, restaurant\/pub, hair salon, doctor\u2019s office, and several hobby rooms, including a brewery and a restored old farm building (Drengestua) that can be used for various purposes.<\/p>\n

\"Dronning<\/p>\n

Photo: Arkitema. Queen Ingrids Garden (Dronning Ingrids Hage) Photographer: Nils Petter Dale<\/em><\/p>\n

High Ambition Level from Oslobygg KF<\/h2>\n

As the client, Oslobygg KF owned by the Oslo Muncipality set clear guidelines for the project.
\n\u201cThe level of ambition has been commendably high. The client, in collaboration with representatives from the Nursing Home Agency, focused on achieving all the special solutions required by dementia-friendly design while also meeting as many general building standards as possible,\u201d says Thulesius.<\/p>\n

Dementia-Friendly Design<\/h2>\n

Thulesius points out that the architects have worked extensively on what they call “dementia-friendly design.”<\/p>\n

\u201cAs the disease progresses, senses deteriorate, so it was important to create spaces where residents intuitively understand where they are and the context they are in.<\/p>\n

We have tried to create an environment without an institutional feel, where everyday activities are supported, which can increase the quality of life for residents and their families,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

\"Arkitema<\/p>\n

Photo: Arkitema. Queen Ingrids Garden (Dronning Ingrids Hage) Photographer: Nils Petter Dale<\/em><\/p>\n

Complex Building<\/h2>\n

Solar panels have been installed on the roof for self-sufficient energy production, and the building is heated using district heating and geothermal wells.<\/p>\n

Odd Ivar Werner, project manager for Oslobygg KF, emphasizes that it is a complex building with few standard solutions, which has tested both the client and the contractor.<\/p>\n

Construction Challenges<\/h2>\n

One of the biggest cost drivers, as is often the case in construction, was the ground conditions and progress with contractor relationships and deliveries.<\/p>\n

Ground Conditions<\/h5>\n

\u201cWhen we started the groundwork, we discovered significantly more rock than we had anticipated, which required extensive blasting work. This took longer than expected,\u201d says Kjell Ulriksen, project manager at HENT contractor.<\/p>\n

This resulted in a substantial amount of material handling, presenting additional challenges.
\n\u201cThere was a large quantity of alum shale and black slate that had to be disposed of as class 3 waste. With so much rock, finding suitable disposal sites became a challenge as they quickly filled up. Other than that, the site was manageable. We had to install a significant amount of sheet piling, but this was a risk we shared with the client,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n

Welfare Technology and Time for Testing<\/h5>\n

Dronning Ingrids Hage is equipped with the latest welfare technology. While residents cannot leave the village, they can move freely within its boundaries.<\/p>\n

All residents wear bracelets that receive radio signals from an antenna station, helping them navigate to their specific housing unit and personal room. The door to each resident\u2019s room opens and closes automatically when they are within signal range.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe extensive use of automation and control systems in the building required comprehensive interdisciplinary collaboration, and the integration of welfare technology posed new challenges for the technical disciplines,\u201d says Odd Ivar Werner.<\/p>\n

HENT\u2019s project manager confirms that there were several rounds of testing before the building was put into use.
\n\u201cIt was a challenge to find enough time for testing and to ensure correct programming. It\u2019s all about understanding how the users want it to function and making sure we get it working just as they desire,\u201d says Kjell Ulriksen.<\/p>\n

Pandemic, War, and Deliveries<\/h5>\n

HENT\u2019s project manager admits that it was hectic trying to complete the project on time.
\n\u201cThe pandemic and the war in Ukraine, of course, had an impact on this project, leading to challenges with both manpower and deliveries.<\/p>\n

There is a significant amount of technical equipment in the building that requires components, and it became difficult to source these materials. We just had to be patient.<\/p>\n

All project participants faced immense pressure. That said, I must say I\u2019m very pleased with the outcome. It\u2019s a fantastic building, and we are very proud to hand it over,\u201d concludes Kjell Ulriksen.<\/p>\n

Building Green: A City Architect’s Perspective<\/h2>\n

\u2018<\/strong>It turns out that there is much to gain by building smarter and sustainable. The buildings achieve better performance in all areas. At the same time, it doesn\u2019t cost much more to participate in innovation, says Henrik Lundberg City Architect in Stavanger, Norway. City Architect: Knowledge Gaps Hindering Sustainable Buildings (greenbuilt.no)<\/a><\/p>\n

Metastudy: Positive environmental impact<\/h2>\n

Environmental Management certification a large metastudy reveals their potential to reshape the creation of architecture with sustainability at the forefront. Read more.\u00a0<\/p>\n

About Breeam-Nor Environmental Certification<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Bibliography<\/h2>\n

Property Owner<\/strong>: Oslo Municipality, Oslobygg KF (Omsorgsbygg), Dronning Ingrids hage – Alle sykehjem og helsehus – Oslo kommune<\/a><\/p>\n

Architect<\/strong>: Arkitema:\u00a0 Dronning Ingrids Hage | En ny boform for personer med demens i Oslo | Arkitema<\/a><\/p>\n

Main Contractor<\/strong>: HENT – Dronning Ingrids Hage \u2013 HENT AS<\/a><\/p>\n

Main Advisor<\/strong>: AFRY – Dronning Ingrids hage | AFRY<\/a><\/p>\n

Norwegian Municipal Technical Association<\/strong>: Dronning Ingrids Hage: Where the Past and Future Meet \u2013 Dronning Ingrids Hage: Hvor fortiden og fremtiden g\u00e5r h\u00e5nd i h\u00e5nd – Norsk Kommunalteknisk Forening (kommunalteknikk.no)<\/p>\n

Home to “Dementia Village”: One Year Later (sykepleien.no) Fra sykehjem til \u00abdemenslandsby\u00bb: Ett \u00e5r etterp\u00e5 (sykepleien.no)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Dronning Ingrids Hage<\/strong> (bygg.no)<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The City of Oslo, Arkitema Architects, and Hent Contractors outline the success criteria and challenges of this BREEAM Excellent certified dementia village.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":21505,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"colormag_page_container_layout":"default_layout","colormag_page_sidebar_layout":"default_layout","footnotes":""},"categories":[995],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21501","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-green-architecture-projects"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t