The client, the autonomous association Het Dak, maintains 2 residential care centres: De Noordhinder in Heist and O.L.Vrouw van Troost in Westkapelle. The premises of De Noordhinder include an L-shaped bloclk of serviced flats, a triangular multipurpose room and a nursing home in a staircase form. The residence, which also accommodates the offices of the OCMW (Public Centre for Social Welfare) is functionally obsolete and displays technical deficiencies.

The free space on the site is too far away from the entrance and multipurpose room to be used for an expansion. A replacement structure appeared to be the most optimal solution for De Noordhinder. In order to limit phasing, the residential care facility in Westkapelle was called upon. This was recently expanded with a wing, also a design of VK, which will accommodate a number of residents of De Noordhinder during the phased demolition and reconstruction

The design for De Noordhinder follows the principle of small-scale living and places the emphasis on spacious rooms. A homelike environment is combined with an efficient care structure. For example, a central circulation and nursing core allows shorter walking distances. Furthermore, the building will be clearly organised and overseeable for residents and visitors.

A cold kitchen for both residential care facilities will be contained in the new building. This will replace 2 warm kitchens on the two sites, which are no longer compliant with HACCP regulations.