Good social communal spaces — both indoors and outdoors — are the key to good senior housing. Aftenposten has written about Bølgelengden at Lambertseter, where we have served as architects for OBOS Eiendom from the zoning phase through completion.

In addition to private apartments, Bølgelengden offers a shared library, kitchen, and dining area, as well as a rooftop terrace with a bocce court, lilac grove, and covered outdoor spaces. A dedicated host also helps organize activities.

The article shows that there is broad agreement among residents, politicians, and developers about the importance of high-quality communal spaces in senior housing.

At the same time, however, senior housing projects are subject to the same requirements as conventional residential developments, such as the provision of playgrounds and bicycle parking. These are functions that are not particularly relevant and ultimately contribute to higher sale prices.

Senior housing is an emerging housing typology, and municipalities need to do more to facilitate such projects by adapting requirements and regulations to actual patterns of use.

This would make it possible to invest in quality communal spaces and durable materials without causing housing prices to skyrocket. And it would allow us to continue developing exciting, high-quality housing concepts.

Full article available here

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