Long may we live!
De Drie Hoven (1970) H. Hertzberger and C. van Empelen
Neighbourhood hangout
De Drie Hoven nursing home was designed as a social and cultural intersection in a neighbourhood in Amsterdam-West. This vision stemmed from a new government policy in the 1970s that focussed on creating an integrated living environment for the elderly instead of isolated retirement homes. De Drie Hoven is conceived as a small city with different kind of accommodation: homes for independent pensioners, a nursing home and accommodation for resident personnel.
The grounds of De Drie Hoven double as a functional garden for the residents and a public park for the neighbourhood. For the residents there are small gardens, a pétanque court and a greenhouse for growing flowers. For the public there are attractive pathways that connect with the neighbourhood streets and pedestrian areas. These routes intersect with the various entrances of De Drie Hoven so that residents and locals meet 'coincidentally'.