September 22, 2026 News
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News · September 22, 2026
Construction starts on the healing landscape in Delfzijl!
At the site of the current Vliethoven nursing home, we are creating a new residential care community, Damsterzicht, where the landscape actively supports health, wellbeing and everyday life.
Together with care providers De Hoven and Lentis, we are transforming the site into a welcoming environment for people with diverse care needs, designed to foster connection, belonging and a strong sense of community.
Designed for movement and encounter
Three landscape zones, a riparian zone, a central, public ‘meadow’ and a forest edge that shields the site from the main road, are connected through a continuous discovery loop. At the heart of the site, an open communal space acts as a welcoming village square. Together they create a sequence of destinations that encourage exploration, physical activity and everyday encounters.
“Our design demonstrates how the relationship between landscape experience and (mental) wellbeing can contribute to creating more inclusive, accessible, and meaningful outdoor environments.”
— Laura Spenkelink, Senior project leader, OKRA
Healing landscapes
Our design is guided by the principles of healing landscapes, recognising the positive impact that nature, movement and social connection can have on quality of life. We structured the landscape around five principles: orientation, a calm and human-scale environment, opportunities for social interaction and restoration, movement, and connection with nature. Distinct landmarks and sensory gardens help visitors navigate intuitively, while familiar materials, sheltered places and the absence of visible fencing create a sense of comfort and autonomy.
By combining biodiversity, movement and social connection within a coherent landscape framework, we demonstrate how outdoor space can actively contribute to mental wellbeing.
We look forward to seeing this healing landscape grow and flourish as Damsterzicht moves towards completion in 2029!
Collaboration: Wiegerinck, abtWassenaar|Ingenieurs voor de leefomgeving, Bureau 1232, Trebbe, Copper8
Healing landscapes
Our practice is dedicated to designing and realising healthy cities, grounded in the conviction that mindfulness is essential for urban life. Every project we undertake prioritizes wellbeing, creating landscapes that support mental clarity, restore balance, and foster meaningful connections with nature, where all species can truly thrive.
