The brief of the open competition called for the expansion of the existing care centre by 120 nursing rooms, set within a historic park landscape protected under ISOS. The new building positions itself as both a component and an enhancement of the historic garden, seeking a subtle integration into the landscape through its differentiated volumes. Existing trees are preserved through radial cuts along the street-facing facade. Towards the garden, the volume adopts a soft, curved form, framing the landscape like a backdrop. A single-storey volume connects the new extension to the existing care centre and accommodates the multipurpose hall along with other public functions. On the regular floors, two residential groups are organised per level, sharing a central living and dining area with an outdoor terrace. A circulation gallery hall expands from the stair core into each residential group, forming a communal space for encounters and daily life. Generous window openings offer views to the east into the treetops along Adlerstrasse, while terraces to the south and north provide clearly defined outdoor areas. The architectural articulation draws on contextual references, relating the new building in the landscape through the garden-facing motif of a projecting veranda. The care centre is constructed as a hybrid system of solid and timber elements and is certified according to Minergie-P-ECO standards.
Team JCFA: Julian C. Fischer, Hannah Meisel, Ludwig Hänssler, Joanna Frey, Laura Schneider, Alexander Copeman, Josin Steiner, Yven Dellemann, Julia Filippo
Consultants: Landscape architect, Albiez de Tomasi GmbH, Zurich
Construction management, Perita AG, Zurich
Structural engineer, Egeter Partner AG, Lienz
Building services engineer, Gähler und Partner AG, Ennetbaden
Electrical engineer, CH-Ingenieure GmbH, Glattbrugg
Refrigeration engineer, Amstein Walthert AG, Zurich
Building physics, Bakus Bauphysik & Akustik AG, Zurich
Fire engineer, Balzer Ingenieure AG, Chur
Catering engineer, VA Plan AG, Ettingen
Lighting engineer, Nachtaktiv GmbH, Zurich
Operational logicstics engineer, Manari GmbH, Zurich
Project: Extension of a retirement home
Project No.: NO 17
Procedure: Open competition, 1st prize
Location: CH, Winterthur–8400
Client: Stadt Winterthur, Winterthur
Images: Studio Diode, Zurich