Økernhjemmet, Heritage nursing home in Økernveien, Norway.
Økernhjemmet is a residential complex on Økernveien that comprises two departments, East and West, each containing four living groups with enclosed atrium gardens. These interior spaces feature greenery, water features, and a koi pond, with a capacity of around 107 residents and additional daycare facilities.
The modernist structure was designed by Norwegian architects Sverre Fehn and Geir Grung and now holds protected heritage status in Oslo. Its architectural approach reflects a particular vision of how communal living spaces should be organized and how people can interact within them.
The facility runs a monthly restaurant service called Økern Spiseri, where residents and their guests can reserve tables and share three-course meals together. This space gives people a chance to maintain social connections and enjoy dining as a shared experience.
The building is specifically designed for people with dementia, featuring calm, manageable spaces with clear orientation aids throughout. Visitors will notice the thoughtful layout of pathways and transitions between the atrium gardens that make moving through the complex intuitive.
Two interior atrium gardens include still water surfaces and a koi pond where people can watch and care for living fish. The gardens also house rabbits in a small enclosure, giving residents regular interaction with animals as part of daily life.
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