Dutch studio Shift Architecture Urbanism has extended the Oude Dijk monastery in Tilburg with a brick extension with a nursing home and apartments for its residents, the Sisters of Charity.
The four-storey block extends from the south-eastern edge of the historic monastery, which date back to the mid-19th century,

This extension provides 24 care home apartments and 36 apartments for those with limited care needs.
Continuing the cloister typology of the original monastery the extension is design to compliment the existing structure and gardens.

"[It's] informed by the rich historical context without becoming pastiche or retro," said the studio.
"The shape prioritises the pure form of the courts and gardens over the primary form of the buildings. As a consequence, the buildings are not to be recognised as solitary volumes, but rather as walls that define a variety of distinctive outside spaces."
The form of the nursing home and the elongated apartment block has created two new courtyard spaces.
One courtyard is open to the public. Sitting alongside the new apartment block, it doubles as an entrance.

The other courtyard, surrounded by the nursing home and enclosed by the new apartments, provides a private space for the Sisters.
Large square windows in the simple brick facades overlook this private garden.

A glazed ground-floor arcade creates a connection to the courtyard while allowing for climate control and security.

The western edge of the apartme...