Have you ever played Tetris? Small, irregular blocks forming a harmonious whole. That was our strategy when integrating assisted living, senior apartments, restaurant, gym, spa, activity rooms, offices, and gardens under one roof — while keeping the floor plan for Mejeriet legible and clear.

A building for the people

With Mejeriet, Vaggeryd Municipality undertook one of its largest investments ever, aiming to create something extraordinary that would strengthen the town’s sense of identity. The seven-storey building, hosting public facilities, services, and specialist housing, was envisioned as a true house for everyone — an integral part of Skillingaryd. At the same time, residents would feel a strong connection to life outside the building.

Breaking down large volumes

The building’s large masses were methodically divided into smaller, more legible units. The senior apartments were placed facing the main street to maintain contact with urban life, while the care home was nestled toward the natural surroundings on the opposite side. Staff facilities and offices occupy a dedicated section in the building’s center.

“It’s important that the building doesn’t feel like a closed unit for its residents, but instead connects to the surrounding nature, to life on Storgatan, and to what happens inside the winter garden.”

Matt Patterson

The restaurant, serving both residents and the public, opens up toward the town square. Public functions such as conference rooms, lounges, gym, and spa face the water.

Terracotta façade

The striking terracotta façade catches everyone’s attention. Terracotta rods are grouped and mounted on the façade alongside vertical wooden cladding. Together, they break down the scale of the building and radiate warmth and a sense of closeness to nature. The strong colors and play of light and shadow make the façade shift in tone as you move around it — adding life and vibrancy.

“We chose to combine terracotta baguettes with wood for a softer expression. The green roofs and solar panels also contribute to the building’s variation and character.”

Leftover bricks from the old dairy were reused — some integrated into the restaurant walls, others built into the entrance courtyard walls. A tangible memory of the dairy that once stood here in the 1930s.

Openness and spaciousness

Although the building nearly touches every property boundary, it is characterized by remarkable openness and volume. Clear wayfinding reinforces this sense of openness.

Upon entering, you get the feeling of stepping into a hotel lobby rather than a traditional entrance hall. From here, all of the building’s functions are accessible via a single central staircase. A connecting corridor runs through the entire structure, leading to the Winter Garden — accessible from every floor. This is an oasis for both residents and visitors.

Quality for the elderly

The senior housing consists of 16 apartments facing the square, while the care home includes 25 apartments. Room sizes are generous to ensure flexibility for both residents and staff. French balconies and low parapet windows allow residents to look outside from their bed or wheelchair. Shared spaces are large, and there is a guest apartment for relatives as well as a terrace at the core of the care units.

A key ambition was to create a calm and secure environment for residents while also streamlining the workflow for staff in an intensive care setting.

The municipality invested heavily in technology to enhance resident safety. Sensor-controlled floors alert staff if someone has fallen. Toilets are height-adjustable, and both residents and staff wear wrist chips that automatically unlock specific apartment doors.

A building of character

We wanted to create a building that takes its place and speaks up — a structure deeply connected to nature yet engaged with the urban fabric. A building people can draw strength from. Now there is Mejeriet.