PETER ROSEGGER NURSING HOME DIETGER WISSOUNIG ARCHITEKTEN

This two-story ancient residence rises on the ground floor of an old Hummelkaserne pavilion in a neighbourhood with a diversified urban environment. The house is compact and square-shaped, with asymmetric cuts that divide the House into eight community dwellings, four on each story. They’re arranged around a central courtyard that runs the length of the first floor and serves as part of a covered patio. Two private gardens for residents are located at right angles to these two public places. The four atriums on the second level, as well as direct access to the public park proposed by the city of Graz to the east of the facility, are among the other open spaces.

Each housing community has 13 inhabitants, a nurse, and a kitchen and eating space, resulting in a controlled and comfortable environment. A stimulating environment is created with large balconies and galleries, as well as a variety of paths and vistas throughout the rest of the house.

Each community was built around the concept of distinct colours in order to assist inhabitants improve their skills. Rooms differ slightly in terms of location and orientation, but they all have a wide window with a low, heated parapet that can be used as a bench. The nursing rooms are positioned in the centre of each building, guaranteeing that each resident is only a few steps away and that the home runs well.

Except for the main range, the building’s two tallest stories are entirely composed of wood structures. The portante structure is made up of crosslaminated wood on the walls and ceiling, with the surfaces visible in numerous places. The common areas’ ceilings were made of wooden beams, with external panels made of wood as well, to create a warm and spacious feeling.

This nursing home could be erected as a prefabricated wooden house thanks to a thoroughly prepared fire prevention strategy with appropriate compensatory measures. To meet the building’s static and structural requirements, a framework made of cross-laminated wood and wooden beams was used. The exterior is made of unprocessed Austrian larch wood, and many of the internal wood panels are also sideboard. The wood’s qualities, the range of views, the number of living spaces in the home and in the yard, as well as the contrasting sunny and shady regions, all add to the house’s warm and welcoming environment.

EXPERIENCING THE NEEDS OF ELDERS