Levensloopwoningen Marum

The fragmentation on de boarders of cities and villages has no logic and result in areas without any meaning. The good economic period of the ’90 is the cause. The green borders were replaced by functions like recreation, industry and residential areas. This forms a new challenge. The authentic identity of the landscape can be conserved by respecting the scale and size. But without being nostalgic and romantic. The yard can be used as underlay for new structures, it defines, like it always has between plot and landscape.
For this assignment, designing new lifecycle residences, the historic yard round an old farm at the edge of the village Marum forms the base for restructuring the whole area.
The new residences together form an ensemble with the restored farm-house, 16 home care apartments, a daycare and an animal farm. The farm is transformed into a home care farm for multiple disabled persons. The residences are situated on the former location of the stables. By using the contour of the stables for the placement of the residences, the existing structures will be maintained. With this method of characteristic elements of the surroundings will be mixed with the results of an economic expansion process. Straightforwardness of the plot, based on the developer’s strict format, is combined with the organic forms of the yard. New and old, the border of the village and the open landscape endure each other because they seem evident. The residences are built in the same direction as the former stables. At the head of the block the facades are connected by architectural fences and form a whole. The passage behind the residences are accessible at the same place as the former stable entrance. The characteristic red color of the Gronings brick is used and is alternated with a rougher version to play with old and new. By placing the highest part of the lean-to roof towards the street, enough sun will reach the inner gardens.

Ordering party: Wold en Waard
Location: Marum
Realization: 2005
Photography: Peter van der Knoop