Alverna

extention monestery-elderly center

On the grounds of the monastery Alverna lies a retirement home and a multi-purpose center with offices. The retirement centre consists of an old villa with a large expansion that was designed by Pouderoyen in the style of the Bosche School. The multifunctional center with offices is designed by Henk Brakel.

The assignment was to connect the multifunction building the retirement center through a corridor so that the often very elderly sisters Franciscanesse can go to the multifunctional centre in a comfortable way during bad weather. There are also a number of small extensions realized as a common living room , a mortuary and an elevator.

The various extensions have round shapes to animate the somewhat austere, sleek style of the Bosche School of Pouderoyen. The design is in harmony with the existing buildings while at the same time they enrich the building with other shapes and other spatial experiences.

The cloister has become not only a physical connection of the retirement center to the multipurpose building but it is a trail with various spatial experiences, straight lines versus curved shapes, open versus closed, dark vs. light and different points of view of the surrounding wooded area and the cemetery for the nuns.

The mortuary is a spiritual space, introvert with tempered, colored light and privacy. The space is more than a place where the deceased sisters are laid out, it is a pleasant, understated space where the sisters say goodbye. Death is not the end of the sisters but a new beginning, a return to the Father.

The living room with its round shape gives a feeling of togetherness. From this circular space ther are expansive views on all sides of the surrounding park.

The design was created by Nico van Bockhooven as an architect employed by Klous + Brandjes Architects

Location: Aerdenhout