Retirement home, Stein am Rhein

The project
Stein am Rhein, known for its well-preserved old town center, is home to two parallel, rectangular buildings on the Fridau site. These blend harmoniously into the surroundings and form a shared courtyard, while maintaining views of the Rhine and the neighborhood. The new buildings have five retirement apartments on each floor, whose floor plan typology is repeated and mirrored. Each apartment has a loggia with a view of the Rhine and a well thought-out circulation system. The ground floor contains public areas such as a Spitex service and a common room, which are connected by a covered link.

The construction method
The construction project comprises two buildings, each with three upper floors, which are connected via a shared first floor. Both buildings are of timber construction, with exposed solid timber ceilings made of glulam and load-bearing interior walls made of frame construction and cross-laminated timber walls. The exterior walls are of frame construction and the bracing is provided by a solid construction staircase. The first floor combines external timber walls with a concrete ceiling. All surfaces are in exposed concrete or wood, giving the ensemble a modern, natural character.

The challenge
The construction project presented challenges such as visible wooden surfaces, precise detailed planning and careful sound insulation. In addition, spans of up to 7.2 meters had to be overcome, which required additional engineering solutions.