Hospitable IrisZorg

Humanity first

Due to their addiction, many clients have lost their sense of self-esteem and control. With 60 locations in Gelderland, Overijssel and Flevoland, IrisZorg is based on the principle that we all matter. The new Hospitable IrisZorg concept is structured around five core values: meeting, meaningfulness, hospitality, involvement and personal control. With these values in mind, IrisZorg wanted to change the appearance of its locations—both inside and out.

Designing together

We began with workshops with a group of IrisZorg employees, where they could put forth their ideas about work processes, safety and client treatment. This led to the project Hospitable IrisZorg, in which staff from various departments formed an ‘internal think tank’ and Wiegerinck contributed its expertise on the healing environment (from Evidence-Based Design), personal control, privacy, positive distraction for clients and a healthy working environment for staff.

Working outside in

The change is already underway at a number of IrisZorg locations. When you walk inside, you don’t feel like you’ve just walked into an institute or care facility; there are no counters or closed doors. You’ll find a welcome desk, where you’ll be greeted by a member of staff. Depending on the time of day, you might be offered some warm soup or a cup of tea. It’s an environment where a first, cautious meeting or conversation can take place.

Like home

The other rooms have a homey feel as well, like a house or a hostel. At the same time, the interior is still suitable for a professional organisation like IrisZorg and matches the image that it wants to uphold for its employees and clients. In the living room, you’ll find a variety of seating. You can sit alone or join fellow residents at a larger table. The furnishing allows people to take steps gently. There are games, books, magazines, pencils, paper—all the things you’d normally find in a living room. Clients can do whatever they want or discover activities they enjoy. They can feel at home and appreciated. From the outdoor space to the private bedrooms, the whole environment contributes to recovery and a sense of self, reminding clients that they are autonomous, valuable human beings.

Familiar furnishings

Not all interior elements are new. The design offers space for old, familiar furnishings; for example, a wall cabinet from a thrift store was given a fresh coat of paint and integrated back into the concept. In the client bedrooms, there is room for personal items (or items picked out with the help of a supervisor) and an armchair for visitors. Certain pieces of furniture have even been made by clients themselves as part of activity therapy.

The whole design has been translated into a sort of ‘IKEA catalogue’ with interior elements that location staff can choose and order independently. This means that each location has the freedom to carry out small interior design projects themselves, and the result will always fit into the intended concept.

IrisZorg offers support for recovery, and its interior actively contributes to this effort. Every client is unique, and our design provides plenty of space for individuality and identity.