Adapted housing can improve the living conditions of patients with serious substance abuse and psychiatric diagnosis
On Karmøy, an island on the southwestern coast of Norway, Snøhetta has designed three adapted homes for residents with serious substance abuse and psychiatric diagnoses. The design of the homes are based on results from a research project in which different shapes, materials and colours, as well as solutions for housing technology and fire safety, have been investigated to find solutions that can increase the quality of living for residents, strengthen HSE and safety for employees, as well as reduce the municipality's costs.
The goal is that the research will be scaled up to other municipalities, and in the future can provide good and lasting solutions for more people.
Everything that is usually taken into account when designing homes is also emphasized here – air and light, views of the green, natural and tradition-bearing materials, and flexible solutions that facilitate expression and creativity. The need for security, belonging and pride in one's home. That you feel treated with respect and dignity. The special adaptations have been made in addition to this, not at the expense of them.
Elin Vatn Senior Interior Architect and Project Lead
Photo: Haakon Nordvik
Material selection based on behaviour and needs
Based on the behaviour and needs of three actual residents, the homes on Karmøy have been developed with three different profiles. The three houses are similar in layout and volume, but differ in the use of materials. While one is made of solid wood, with exposed wood in the interiors, the other two are designed as a semi-detached house with one unit in brick and one in concrete. All homes have a diagonal saddle roof that provides a good and interesting dynamic inside the rooms.
The three main materials, solid wood, concrete and brick, have scored well on physical tests where their resistance to, for example, impact, fire and tagging have been examined. They also have a slightly rough surface, and can withstand wear and tear without appearing particularly worn. By choosing three different main materials, you also get to test the extent to which materials affect the resident, and what consequences this has for maintenance. Special solutions have also been developed for housing technology, shielding, ventilation, heating and fire safety.
Photo: Haakon Nordvik
We all have a need and desire to have something of our own, a place we thrive, can cultivate our interests, and be proud of. This is no less important to people with substance abuse and psychiatric diagnoses. We hope that these homes can improve the living situation of the residents who will use them, but also that more municipalities and agencies want to take part in the research in the future, so we can learn even more and improve the concept further.
Kjetil Trædal Thorsen Architect and co-founder, Snøhetta.
Research
Karmøy municipality has a zero vision when it comes to homelessness in the municipality, and wants to be able to offer adapted housing for all residents with substance abuse and psychiatric diagnoses, as well as for the need to be clarified in close dialogue with the resident. Behavioural and social challenges and frequent relocation lead to great difficulties in finding suitable housing, and very high maintenance costs.
The research project Karmøy pilot housing, which was initiated in 2020, seeks to adapt the physical housing elements in collaboration with residents, municipal employees and user and next of kin organisations. The project is funded by the Research Council of Norway and the municipalities of Karmøy and Stavanger, and carried out by the Norwegian Research Centre (Norce) in collaboration with the University of Stavanger, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, the Norwegian State Housing Bank, A-larm and Snøhetta.