Living for the elderly Gais

In Gais, Appenzell, care and assisted living are to be brought together in one place. The landscaped site offers an impressive alpine backdrop as well as impressive trees and meadows. The design takes these scenic qualities as an opportunity to develop a faceted volume that interlocks with the newly designed and existing landscape. The transitions between inside and outside are fluid and the wooden façade with relief makes reference to the locally anchored building culture.

The spatial programme is divided into three pentagonal residential buildings that are connected on the ground floor. The main uses are addressed individually and attractively from the outside, while they are linked operationally on the inside. Open spatial structures and diverse circulation patterns offer varied spatial experiences, views and vistas, niches and meeting points. The floor plan typology aims to meet current and future demands for space and comfort, as well as the need for well-being and participation. In combination with the timber construction, atmospheric rooms are created that radiate a great cosiness and offer all residents a "home away from home".

Credits

Project competition after prequalification, 1st prize 2023
Client: Municipality of Gais
Architecture/general planning: Bob Gysin Partner Architekten ETH SIA BSA
Landscape architecture: Lorenz Eugster Landscape Architecture, Zurich
Civil engineer for solid construction/timber construction: B3 Kolb, Gossau
Building services engineering: W&P Engineering, Zurich
Electrical engineer: IBG Engineering, Gais
Building physics & sustainability: EK Energiekonzepte, Zurich
Lighting design: Spektrum, Zurich
Fire protection: B3 Kolb, Gossau
Transport planning: B3 Brühwiler, Gossau
Visualisations: Studio Diode, Zurich