Client: Fondation Les Châteaux

Programme : Construction of a medical-social establishment with a housing capacity of 70 beds for geriatrics and psychiatry for the elderly, divided into 3 support units.

Surfaces: 6.050 m². Outdoor spaces and landscaping: 9275 m²

Budget: 19,5 M CHF

Mission: Competition

 

SITE PLACEMENT AND VOLUME

Aiming to complement the existing situation of the castle and its immediate and distant surroundings, the new building extends over the buildable land to frame the landscaped park, discreetly prolong the built front of the heritage ensemble, and define a new southern boundary of the village facing the landscape of cultivated fields.

 

The program is distributed into three volumes with similar footprints, whose façade lengths correspond to the scale of the castle. The volumes are arranged in a staggered manner, and with different heights, creating the necessary diversity and animation to avoid an overly monumental feel.

 

Two distinct volumes containing the support units redefine the historic park. They are connected by a third volume set back from the castle and the public boundary, which houses the public and professional programs. This volume benefits from excellent sunlight, views of the cultivated fields and the park, as well as an access square served by the Château Street.

 

ACCESS

 

All access points are via the single entrance on Château Street, located to the west of the plot. The “Access Square,” a true flow distributor, allows for immediate identification of the building’s main entrance. There are also several parking spaces, as well as covered areas reserved for ambulances and minibuses. Delivery spaces are hidden behind the south façade. The parking area then slopes down towards the far end of the site, where a ramp bridges the small level difference with the underground parking.

 

INTERNAL ORGANIZATION

 

The main entrance leads residents, visitors, and professionals directly to the “Village Square,” the heart of the building and a central space where all circulations meet, providing an atmosphere that is relaxed, bright, and welcoming. From the circulations, lounges, cafeteria, and common dining room, one can enjoy excellent views both of the historic park and to the south, where the sun, orchard, and the distant landscape of cultivated fields with mountains in the background can be seen. The “Village Square” brings together the wellness spaces and the access to the psychiatric units and gardens on the ground floor, as well as the vertical circulations to the upper floor, where the geriatric units and professional spaces are located.

 

The three support units are organized in a similar way: the residents’ rooms form a rectangle inside which the various associated program elements are carefully arranged to respect the logic of separation into living units managed centrally by the support team.

A large central courtyard provides light and cross views at the heart of this setup, as well as a particularly calm and practical outdoor space.

The internal walks for residents have been designed to offer, on one hand, a choice of short, medium, or long paths, whether straight, diagonal, or zigzag, and on the other hand, to avoid monotony by creating events and animations — patio, dining rooms, lounges, and outdoor views — at regular intervals.

 

PROFESSIONAL SPACES

The professional spaces are concentrated on the first floor, above the Village Square. The dual vertical and horizontal circulation allows for smooth and comfortable movement for all users. The staff arrivals and departures can thus take place freely either from the main entrance or — more discreetly — from the door dedicated to professionals to the south. The changing rooms and laundry, important components of the floor, are strategically placed to minimize movement: the former is near the vertical circulation related to the professionals, and the latter is next to the core of the support units.

The staff rest room has a sunny terrace and enjoys unobstructed views. A central courtyard organizes the distribution and brings light to the circulations and workspaces.

 

LANDSCAPE APPROACH

The garden today lies at the intersection of two qualities: that of heritage and that of the vast landscape. It offers beautiful, open views, a remarkable wooded area, and numerous uses. We propose to preserve and enhance these existing qualities with a few improvements. The educational farm is gathered around the existing pavilions, thus freeing up a large central pasture, open and unobstructed with views.

The extension project will contribute to the enchantment of this beautiful park by developing two therapeutic pathways:

 

• A small loop linked to equipment and sensory highlights (plants to touch, plants to smell, vegetable gardens). A shortcut provides a very short route for the most fragile residents.
• A large loop integrating into the existing park and connecting all its focal points: the fountain, the lime tree square, small playgrounds, the farm, kiosks, and the new belvedere. Existing pathways are preserved, completed, and renovated as needed, using clear, porous materials that evoke strolling.
  The already established and well-invested focal points will be complemented by therapeutic equipment, cultivation spaces, seating areas, a belvedere, and sensory beds.
  The views from the rooms are concealed by plant filters composed of flexible shrubbery. The garden on the dining room side is designed as an edible garden, which includes a panoramic terrace overlooking the cultivated fields, a vegetable garden, and a few orchard trees.
  The entrance is enhanced by a well-designed square with seating; the parking lot is well-planted and entirely organized on porous ground, respectful of the surrounding landscape.
  Finally, the existing gate is moved to highlight a new pedestrian access to the gardens and restore its use.

 

Four major themes underpin our approach to the design of gardens in a medical-social establishment (EMS):

• Sensoriality: Fully participate in the support work for patients through sensory experiences and connection with the living world (vegetal and animal).
• Well-being: Provide comfortable spaces, ensuring safety for patients, their families, and staff.
• Activities: Offer a space suited for cognitive and physical training activities, as well as for horticultural therapy.
• Intimacy/Sociability: Provide both collective outdoor spaces and the possibility for individuals to find their own “corner.”

 

 

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND MATERIALITY

The project integrates sustainable development strategies on ecological, economic, and social levels.

 

The building opens up with a generous courtyard onto the castle park, establishing a connection with the existing building, which will, in turn, link to the life of the village. In interaction with the various terraces and courtyards, a diverse and stimulating space for communication and integration is created between the residents and their neighbors. Naturally, the planning takes into account the mobility and limitations of elderly and disabled individuals.

 

The thermal envelope, with wall structures and wood-aluminum windows, is designed to meet the required energy indicators for Minergie P-ECO.

The exterior wall, a single skin of certified insulating bricks with the necessary U-value, creates a pleasant indoor climate through its thermal mass while providing an economical construction system. The structure’s concrete is recycled (RC-M). A heat recovery ventilation system is accompanied by openable windows, ensuring pleasant natural ventilation, where the interior courtyards function as chimneys. The external sun protection with adjustable slats is effective in preventing overheating in summer and ensuring the privacy of the rooms.

 

The façades are finished with a lime-based cement render in dialogue with the materiality of the neighboring castle. The wood and aluminum windows are evenly distributed along the façades, expressing the residential nature of the building as well as its social and institutional significance.
Inside, emphasis is placed on creating a serene, comfortable, and warm atmosphere through visible wood details in the carpentry, flooring (residential areas), and overall furnishings. In the collective areas, polished concrete floors highlight public functions and facilitate maintenance.