Virtually self-sufficient care estate sets the tone for the future

Harmony between care and nature: De Volder Staete in Almere

In July 2024, care estate De Volder Staete in Almere festively opened its doors. This special care facility provides living space for elderly people with memory problems. On a 2.5-hectare site, Amado offers not only care, but also space for urban horticulture and animal pastures. The development of this innovative and sustainable project was a joint effort of several parties, including Amado Care, ARCOM architecture + construction management and Aedifica.

Johan Verduijn, general manager of ARCOM, talks about the design of De Volder Staete. "Our vision was to create a care estate that resembles a courtyard in design, inspired by the old settlement that once stood here." This resulted in H-shaped pavilions with a central, transparent living and living space. The variation in height and overhanging roofs create a dynamic effect and keep the heat out of the building. The transparency creates a direct relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces, creating a pleasant environment for residents. "From our experience with care projects, we know that it is important for residents to have direct access to the garden and communal living rooms with lots of light," Verduijn said. "This is essential for good care."

Person-centered care

Brian Nieweg, director of Amado Care, immediately saw the potential of the project and joined. "The location and ARCOM's vision immediately appealed to us. The site was greener and larger than average, which suited our need for adequate outdoor space perfectly," Nieweg says. Amado Care focuses on small-scale, loving and person-centered care for seniors with memory problems. At De Volder Staete, seniors can enjoy a homelike and safe environment. "For us, it is essential that our residents and their families feel welcome," Nieweg explains. "The apartments are located on the first floor, with short walks and direct access to the garden. This contributes to a sense of safety and security."

Erwin Drenth of Aedifica, the real estate investor behind the project, is very pleased with the cooperation with Amado Zorg. "Amado Zorg has a refreshing outlook on healthcare and is wisely pursuing its own development by quietly continuing to grow." The scale of the project was an important aspect for Aedifica. "With 52 apartments, De Volder Staete has a nice size. Because the apartments are distributed over several buildings, the small-scale feel is maintained. In addition, this project fills a great need for affordable facilities for the elderly, especially in newer cities such as Almere, where originally many schools were built but few facilities for the aging population. The building also includes a Medi-Mere family doctor's office!"

Sustainability as a spearhead

From the beginning, sustainability played a central role in the development of De Volder Staete. It was important to Aedifica that the project not only meet current but also future sustainability standards. Drenth explains, "The project is virtually energy neutral. One of the buildings even generates more energy than it consumes. This fits perfectly with our vision to invest in sustainable healthcare facilities." Verduijn explains: "We chose an all-wood construction. Not only because of the warm appearance, but also to make the building circular. The materials are remountable and can be reused in the future." When wood prices suddenly increased during development, it created a major challenge. Thanks to ARCOM's efforts and cooperation with Aedifica, new solutions were found, so the project went ahead anyway.

In addition to its energy performance, De Volder Staete is virtually self-sufficient thanks to solar panels, gas-free buildings and a system for collecting and reusing rainwater. A particularly sustainable element is the natural purification of wastewater via a helophyte filter.  

The estate is also carefully planted to promote biodiversity. Various nesting and brooding opportunities are provided in the facades and roofs.

A future-oriented healthcare estate

Volder Staete is seen by all involved as a model project for future healthcare facilities. The cooperation between Amado Care, ARCOM and Aedifica has resulted in a unique combination of care, sustainability and community spirit. Drenth looks back on the realization of the project with satisfaction: "This is a project we are proud of. Not only on the warm and homey end result, but also on the way we worked together. Because another developer was involved at first, we sometimes ran into old agreements. Brian looked for solutions, which allowed us to come out of it together. That's how we like to work together." He also compliments the builder, Legemaat van Elst. "It turned out very nicely and before completion there was only one completion point - a door that was damaged during transport. That is exceptional for projects of this size."

With its progressive vision of care and sustainability, De Volder Staete shows that caregiving can be more than just providing support. It can be a place where people feel at home, where nature is central and where the human touch is once again the norm. According to Nieweg, families praise the project for its home-like atmosphere and calming environment. "One of the biggest compliments was that the indoor climate is so good that residents immediately feel comfortable," he said.