For over 50 years, the Tersteegen House—a nursing home operated by the Diakonie—has served the Golzheim community. When the aging building no longer met the standards for contemporary care, the organization launched a competitive design process. Baumschlager Hutter Partners won the competition, with Meyer Architekten of Düsseldorf executing the final design.

The client's priorities were clear: exceptional functionality, thoughtful integration into the neighborhood, cost efficiency, and a facility that meets all modern care standards. The primary challenge lay in urban design—the surrounding buildings varied significantly in height, strict setback requirements applied, a neighboring kindergarten needed consideration, and multiple outdoor spaces required careful planning. The solution: a three-story, well-proportioned structure defined by robust exposed masonry, creating a timeless design vocabulary. The building honors Golzheim's architectural character while speaking contemporary through refined detailing and light tonality. To maximize efficiency and ecological performance, the design embraces a compact building envelope. The facility's philosophy centers on creating a supportive living environment that preserves residents' individuality and sense of home. The ground floor strategically houses a public cafeteria alongside administration and main circulation—a social hub that connects residents to the wider world while easing the workload for care staff. The northern section includes 14 short-term care beds and a guest suite.

The 88 residential rooms occupy the two upper floors, with 50 percent fully accessible and 50 percent wheelchair-adapted layouts. Floor-to-ceiling French doors and shared loggias enhance residential comfort and foster valuable visual and physical connection to the surrounding landscape. Thanks to the client's collaborative partnership, the Tersteegen House was completed in just 24 months and reopened in August 2019.

www.baumschlager-hutter-partners.com
www.meyer-architekten.de

Photography Credits:

Johannes Marburg, Geneva
www.johannesmarburg.com

(Published in CUBE Düsseldorf 04|20)