De Korenbloem in Kortrijk provides care for elderly people (including those with dementia) and younger people with dementia. In doing so, the organisation continues the life’s work of surgeon Emiel Lauwers Sr. and his son Emiel Jr. In 1898, Lauwers founded a clinic on Sint-Jansplein in Kortrijk. It was set within a beautiful, romantic park. Two villas in that park, one dating from the 1860s and one from the 1930s, form the basis for two remarkable care projects: ‘Het Portiek’ by Sergison Bates Architects and ‘Het Landhuis’ by Studio ThysVermeulen. ‘Het Portiek’ has now opened.

De Korenbloem site had previously been the scene of major changes. For instance, in 2002, residential care flats replaced the old clinic on the western side of the site. The elongated complex forms a buffer between Pieter de Conincklaan and the park. Due to high demand, these facilities were no longer sufficient. A masterplan for further development was urgently needed, if only to preserve the park and the valuable villas.