A purpose-built, forward-looking social infrastructure asset designed to connect generations

The asset, which was completed in the summer of 2025 and subsequently handed over to the tenants Mariehjemmene care home and KLAX kindergarten, is the embodiment of forward-thinking and innovation:

Not only is the asset home to the first private care home in Kolding Municipality, but its location is also exceptional — right in the heart of Kolding, close to the station, yet surrounded by nature with views of a green playground, forest, and Kolding Fjord.

The asset is also innovative in its design, combining an aged care home and a kindergarten. The asset consists of two buildings. Each floor of the 3 and 4-storey buildings features a kitchen area and a spacious balcony with access for wheelchair users. A glass walkway connects the two buildings, creating a setting where two generations can benefit from one another in daily life.

A secure and welcoming environment for elderly requiring care

The care home offers bright, modern care units for 80 elderly residents in need of 24/7 care.

The care units are organized into five groups, each accommodating 16 residents with a dedicated staff team. Each apartment is approximately 36 m² and has a living room, a private kitchenette, and a spacious bathroom. Except for the hi-low hospital bed, the residents are free to furnish the apartment themselves with their own, well-known furniture and décor.

In the design of the care home, great emphasis has been placed on well-being and social interaction. As a result, there are many common areas suited for elderly residents.

The interior design of the shared spaces uses light, welcoming colors to enhance the feeling of home and comfort.

The care home operator, Mariehjemmene, is a Danish non-profit organization with experience in operating private aged care homes and care facilities since 1958.

The staff includes nurses, care assistants, nursing aides, and pedagogues. In addition, the care home has its own kitchen and kitchen staff, serving tasty dishes made from quality ingredients every day.

Outdoors, the home features a courtyard, shared terraces, a pétanque court and walking paths with herbs and flowerbeds, creating a calm, nurturing environment for the residents.

An inspiring place for play and learning

The kindergarten is an integrated facility for children aged 0–6 years, accommodating 89 children. The facility is operated by KLAX, a German private operator with 30 years of experience, with a care philosophy that is inspired by the Danish approach to childcare and education.

In 2023, KLAX opened its first daycare facility in Denmark, located in Greve next to an aged care home. There, KLAX witnessed the positive effects of close interaction between children and older residents. With the Kolding project, KLAX saw the opportunity to build an even closer relationship between generations—one that will enrich the children’s development and bring joy and stimulation to the elderly.

The kindergarten has a large playground and rooms tailored for an array of activities such as role play, construction, science, art, and movement.

ESG aspects

The asset has been developed by NREP and was acquired by Northern Horizon in 2023 in the largest care home transaction ever completed in Denmark.

The asset is designed by Rubow Architects, Danish architects specializing in care homes, educational facilities, and social housing, with numerous national and international awards to their name.

Sustainability has been prioritized in the project with the aim of achieving DGNB Gold certification. As an example, the building is equipped with solar panels, and for the façade, an Nordic Ecolabel approved solution provides passive fire protection.

In the design of the asset, the focus has been not only on environmental sustainability, but also on social sustainability through the synergies created in the daily interaction between children and elderly residents.