Author:

Keywords:

holiday residence, care residence, accessibility, energy saving

Abstract:

Sustainability seeks to bring together three dimensions: social, environmental and economic. This paper describes ‘Middelpunt’ where these dimensions of sustainability have been taken into account. This case provides an answer to the challenges which are posed to achieve a decent ‘holiday care residence’ in a sustainable way by combining the comfort of a hotel with the facilities of a care residence, by reducing the environmental impact and with considerations made for an economic and social sound operational model. Sustainability aspects are found in the heating and cooling techniques, reducing the energy demand for the indoor climate. The choice for the materials indoors and outdoors was made with regard to the perception of the guests and of the maintenance of the building. The financial creativity and input has led to a social investment partnership. ‘Middelpunt’ is accessible for disabled residents, and creates jobs for socially vulnerable people.