Marlène Staals
De Kelk

Marlene Staals designed an object for the garden of the newly-built section of this nursing home which was designed by the architectural firm, Alberts & Van Huut.
Staals' design for the garden corresponds to the building's architecture which lacks straight lines. It is made up of a metal pentagonal shape that forms a calyx and is surrounded by wooden benches.
De Kelk (The Calyx) was placed in the sunniest part of the garden, a place that residents can visit together with their family members or nurses in order to take a rest during their walks. It is also a place where one can reflect upon the transience of nature while being literally seated in the space of a flower.
Many flowers will blossom in De Kelk, including honeysuckles which were planted in the center of the object and which spread a nostalgic scent at the end of the day.

De Kelk is surrounded by undulating and arched circles. The benches from which one views the central object were placed in the outer circle. One can also sit back to front on the benches so as to gain a view of the surroundings. The arched circles that encompass the benches will be planted with large and tangible passion flowers, a species of which both the petals and fruit are edible. The whole ensemble was placed on a 'mat' of concrete clinkers and will eventually be overgrown with the flowers.