A care oasis for elderly people with severe dementia

Dagmarsminde nursing home

Client

Dagmarsminde

Location

Græsted, Denmark

Area

2,180 m²

With a well-proven care concept, Dagmarsminde aims to help more elderly people with severe dementia. The three new mini nursing homes are small homes set in the heart of nature, where the senses are engaged and everyday life is lived in close connection with both people and the surroundings. Each room opens directly into the common living room, which is the heart of Dagmarsminde. This is where activities, togetherness, and calm unfold – all working together to enhance the residents’ quality of life.

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Gallery

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Introduction

Discipline

Architecture

Typology

Health

Status

In progress

Collaborators

Rasmus Friis

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Summary

A desire to help even more

Dagmarsminde is a sensory-stimulating, dementia-specialized care home where aesthetic surroundings and a homely atmosphere go hand in hand. Dagmarsminde has experienced strong demand, making it necessary to expand capacity without compromising its spirit, values, or the close, safe communities.

Building on a successful care concept

Dagmarsminde follows a well-proven care and treatment philosophy in which a stable daily rhythm is essential. Dignity, integrity, and community are prioritized over institutional routines. The goal is to reduce stress and agitation, thereby improving quality of life and health for elderly people with cognitive impairments. This is supported by sensory-inviting surroundings, short distances, and clear, manageable architecture that creates security in everyday life.

A thoughtful architectural identity with space for community and care

PLH has designed three new dementia-specialized mini nursing homes, each accommodating 12 residents. The new mini care homes are situated in green surroundings and resemble large villas in the forest rather than traditional care centers. The residents’ rooms are 25 m² and include a private, accessible bathroom and toilet as well as a kitchenette. From the room, one steps directly into the heart of the care home: the common living room. This is where everyday life takes place and where community unfolds. The kitchen, dining, and living areas flow together, creating space for daily activities that combine social interaction and quiet reflection. Large window sections open the common living room onto the garden terrace, creating a strong connection between indoors and outdoors.

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Sketch

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Quote

Each of the three care homes functions as its own small household with its own rhythm of life. A sense of homeliness and presence comes to the forefront, while the institution recedes into the background. By designing small, secure communities, we create a familiar daily life that is crucial for the residents’ quality of life.
Lars Toksvig, partner, PLH

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