Right next to the city park of Mechelen, 29 new assisted living units have been developed, tailored to residents who value autonomy, comfort, and connection—with care close at hand. Commissioned by the social housing company Sociaal Wonen Regio Mechelen and designed by arQ Architecten, this project combines residential quality with social impact. Delivered by Building & Partners, the result is a thoughtful and inclusive environment that blends harmoniously into its green, urban surroundings.
The city of Mechelen sought to expand its offering of social and assisted housing for elderly residents and those in need of support. The brief included:
Designing fully adapted, accessible living units that meet the standards for recognised assisted housing
Ensuring an inviting and non-institutional appearance
Embedding the building into the urban fabric with a park-side connection
Maintaining high standards of quality, safety, and long-term sustainability
Constructing within a tight site bordered by existing residences and public infrastructure
The project team opted for a U-shaped building volume, open towards the city park, creating a communal inner courtyard that invites light and social interaction. Each unit is fully wheelchair-accessible and compliant with assisted living regulations, while maintaining the comfort and intimacy of a private home.
The architectural expression is modest but refined, using warm materials and a clear rhythm in the façade to create a residential rather than institutional feel. Special attention was given to acoustic comfort, thermal insulation, and integration of lifts and accessibility features.
Construction was carried out with minimal disruption to the surrounding neighbourhood, and the project was completed in line with strict public sector quality controls and timing requirements.
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