Clear colors create calm

Västerås is a young and growing city, but the 80+ age group is expanding even faster. From 2022 to 2030, this group is expected to grow by over 40 percent. In the Råby district, Hemsö is developing the Kornknarren area in collaboration with the City of Västerås and Riksbyggen. Plans include around 300 apartments, a preschool, and the Stenkumla care home. Shayi Balbas joined as the new project manager for the City of Västerås partway through the process.

“At the same time, I had meetings with Hemsö about once a week, where the wishes were further discussed. It went very smoothly because Hemsö combines attentiveness with great knowledge and experience,” says Shayi Balbas.

That the new care home should be functional, modern, and comfortable is a given. This applies to both the 60 apartments and the common areas, such as the dining room, lounge, and the garden gazebo.

Important Details

Equally important are the colors. At Stenkumla elderly care home, each floor will have its own distinct color. Even baseboards, ceiling moldings, and doors are color-coded.

“With different colors, it becomes easier for the elderly, who may sometimes be suffering from dementia, to find their way around the premises. It should be clear throughout the entire facility, from the entrance, through the elevators, and on each floor. This creates security and helps prevent anxiety.”

There are other significant details that create a harmonious whole for the residents. There are no large glass panels that could cause anxiety. The doors are equipped with frosted glass. Daylight is important, but window film and blinds provide the right amount. The windows have a low sill, allowing even those in wheelchairs or bedridden to see outside.

Stenkumla elderly care home will be inaugurated on October 1, 2025, a day that Shayi Balbas looks forward to. On that day, the three colorful stone trolls created during the groundbreaking ceremony will also be brought out. These were made by Anna Marand, Project Development Manager at Hemsö, Amanda Grönlund, Chair of the Elderly Care Committee in Västerås, and Anders Lindkvist, Business Manager at NCC Building. The stone trolls will be placed in the garden to watch over the care home as its future protectors.