It is often difficult for young people with autism to find their place in society. In the Papageno Houses, everything is done to help young people with autism on their way to the most independent future possible.
Many young people with autism find this exciting and complicated. To lower the threshold and allow them to get used to contact with others, the Papageno Houses explicitly bring the outside world in to provide maximum developmental opportunities to those living in and spending daytime activities at the Papageno House. To this end, each of the Papageno Houses has a publicly accessible restaurant and a (concert)hall for meetings, exhibitions and performances. Volunteers provide extra support to residents and day care workers. Talents are capitalized on and there are many opportunities for creative development. A Papageno House has studios where residents learn to live as independently as possible. There are currently Papageno Houses in Laren (N-H) and Lemmer. Our ambition is to achieve national coverage and we are investigating various other places to realize a Papageno House there.
Papageno House Laren
Papageno House Laren has been located in the former Villa in the town of Laren in the province of North-Holland. since 2015. This beautiful 1870 villa is furnished in such a way that young people with autism feel completely at ease. The colours, the lighting, the climate control, the sound-absorbing ceilings: everything has been thought through. There are 12 apartments for young people and about 50 young people come there every week for daytime activities. These young people are supervised by our care partner 's Heeren Loo. The young people and the Papageno House are also supported by approximately 75 volunteers.
Visitors are very welcome in the Papageno Restaurant and at events in the concert hall, which is named after our founder Aaltje van Zweden, such as the weekly coffee concerts on Sunday mornings. For more information about Papageno House Laren you can send an email to
Papageno House Fryslân
Papageno Huis Fryslân has been located in the former Reformed Church and outbuildings in the town of Lemmer, Friesland since May 2023. This Church from 1889 and the outbuildings are designed in such a way that young people with autism feel completely at ease. There are 17 apartments for young people and around 50 young people can go there every week for daytime activities. These young people are guided by our care partners De Heeren van Zorg and Weardefol. The young people and the Papageno House are also supported by various volunteers. Visitors are welcome in ‘Café Papageno’ and ‘Podium Papageno’ in the Church Hall, where many events are organized. For more information about Papageno House Fryslân you can send an email to
