Housing that makes growing older a more beautiful experience

Vålandstun is an award-winning housing project for people over the age of 55, designed to create an environment where it’s easy to meet, easy to participate, and easy to feel at home. Here, 38 residents live in modern apartments, connected through generous shared spaces, greenhouses, a gym, workshop, library, and a large rooftop garden.

Many describe the place as an extended family – a community where people feel seen, included, and encouraged to stay active at their own pace.

Vålandstun is built around a simple idea: that good meeting places and friendly neighbor relations can make later life both safer and more meaningful. Every morning, residents gather for coffee in the common living room, and several times a week they meet for exercise, gardening, hobby activities, and shared meals.

There is room for both community and privacy – you can be social when you want to, and retreat when you need to. The project has received significant attention from professional environments and municipalities looking to learn from the model, and was awarded the Stavanger Municipal Architecture Prize for its inclusive design and strong social profile.

Behind the vibrant community is Heime, forming an important part of the foundation. A dedicated host supports new residents, helps initiate activities, and ensures that shared spaces are actually used as intended.

In addition, the Heime app gathers everything practical in one place: room bookings, invitations, weekly plans, information, and communication between residents. This makes it easy to take initiative, easy to participate, and easy to build a social life that lasts.

For many residents, the Heime app has become a natural part of their morning routine. During the first cup of coffee, they get an overview of what’s happening in the building and plan their day.