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Apartments for Seniors
The new building emerges from the sloping terrain as though it were a glacial boulder. The polygonal composition picks up directions from the built and the topographic contexts, creating an integrated, faceted volume. These intersections result in flowing transitions between interior and exterior spaces, while the highly compact footprint achieves a very economical use of land. Indoors, suitably varied circulation spaces running around well lit courtyards provide a social core zone, which gives access to rooms for individual use with their own private outdoor spaces.
The 'boulder' is conceived as an integrated system that combines passive measures, solar gain and the optimal coordination of system components. The focus lay on achieving a high level of comfort, low energy consumption and the efficient use of land while remaining within a tight construction budget. This project encourages a high degree of identification, and is sustainable at every level, more than satisfying the Minergie-P standard.
Credits
Project competition after prequalification, 1st prize, 2011
Construction sum: CHF 24 mn
Client: Canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden
Architecture/Overall Project Management: BGP Architekten ETH SIA BSA
Landscape Architecture: Parbat GmbH, Appenzell
Structural Engineering: Nänny & Partner, St. Gallen
Building Services: Hugentobler GmbH, Freidorf
Electrical: Bühler + Scherler, St. Gallen
Building Physics/Sustainability: EK Energiekonzepte, Zürich
Construction Management: b+p baurealisation, St. Gallen