Kenneth Balfelt Team conducted 14 interviews with citizens, employees and management to formulate a project description for fundraising for a new youth residence at Marjatta, which creates an innovative framework that supports the stay, sensory management and development of developmentally disabled young people. 

New youth residence for young people with intellectual disabilities 

Marjatta wanted to develop their physical environment to support their special educational work even more than before. Specifically, they need 12 youth housing units, as the current accommodation is too restrictive for their pedagogical work and the young people's potential development. 

They are currently experiencing challenges in their existing youth housing because the building has many small rooms that cannot be changed, rooms that do not support differentiated participation in the community and cannot be changed to meet varying needs. In addition, there is a lack of sensory stimulation, light, accessibility with steep stairs, outdated and too few and small toilet and shower facilities. 

The new youth residence will focus on community, nature, creativity, sensory stimulation and quality of life. They want to create conditions for Marjatta's residents where the physical environment is stimulating and healing to live, play and work in by designing with synergy between social conditions and construction.