Students enrich Vitalis Brunswijck garden with…

Following the success of last year’s collaboration, we once again joined forces with the creative vocational school SintLucas. This time, the new cohort of students focused their talents on the courtyard garden of the Vitalis Brunswijck care complex in Eindhoven. The challenge? To design an outdoor object using MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME (MTX) that would bring daily joy, wonder, and surprise to the residents. Launched in April 2024, the project offered invaluable experiences for both students and residents alike. The courtyard garden at Vitalis Brunswijck now boasts 12 new creations, which, thanks to the sustainable properties of MTX, can be enjoyed for years to come.

SintLucas, a renowned creative vocational school with campuses in Eindhoven and Boxtel, provides students with hands-on experience across diverse disciplines, including interior design, photography, and ceramic styling. For this second joint project with MEDITE SMARTPLY, students were given the opportunity to work with MTX, a high-performance panel material that is highly resistant to moisture, making it ideal for outdoor use. Project supervisor and instructor Anco Salari highlighted the importance of sustainable materials: "Our students not only learn woodworking techniques but also the significance of designing for the future. The fact that they can create something that enriches others’ lives makes this collaboration especially valuable."

Fostering connection and collaboration

At Vitalis Brunswijck, a care complex focusing on rehabilitation and long-term care, shared activities and a pleasant living environment are vital. The garden, already equipped with benches, walking paths, and an aviary, has now been enriched with 12 unique objects that residents can enjoy. This project is more than a simple refurbishment; it’s about building connections. Residents actively participated in the design process and even visited the SintLucas workshop. There, they met with the students and provided valuable feedback. Wendy van Zon, Coordinator of Arts & Culture at Vitalis, shared: "It was heartwarming to witness the residents’ enthusiastic reactions."

Unique creations for the Vitalis Brunswijck garden

With MTX, students had a sustainable and versatile material to unleash their creativity. Despite working with the same base material, the resulting designs are remarkably diverse, each telling its own story. One standout project is ‘TWIST’, an accessible table designed by student Sterre de Klein, tailored for wheelchair users to play games together. Sterre explained: "The design had to be both durable and functional. TWIST allows residents to play games without needing to stretch across the table. I’m proud that my design can make a real difference in their daily lives."

Another inspiring creation comes from student Luuk Pouwels, who designed a graceful ballerina inspired by the famous ballet ‘Swan Lake.’ His piece plays with light and shadow, symbolising both the white and black swan as sunlight moves across it. Luuk reflected: "I wanted to create something not only visually striking but also meaningful. My background in theatre and dance naturally led me to the ballerina idea. The residents’ positive reactions have been the highest compliment."

Valuable collaboration and positive outcomes

MEDITE SMARTPLY takes pride in the students’ dedication and the creativity they brought to the project. Henny Henderson, Sales Manager at MEDITE SMARTPLY, commented: "The students’ enthusiasm and professionalism in working with MTX have been remarkable. Their unique ways of using the material, and how well their creations complement the Vitalis garden, are a testament to the versatility of sustainable panel materials. This project demonstrates that such materials can be both functional and instrumental in creating warm, liveable spaces." This project at Vitalis Brunswijck is a shining example of how education, creativity, and sustainability can come together to make a meaningful local impact. Both students and residents have gained valuable experiences, ensuring this partnership between SintLucas and MEDITE SMARTPLY continues to grow, delivering promising results that benefit the community.