Retirement center «Im Brüel», AeschCompetition

The care centre has grown over several phases of development. The original building, designed by Hans Peter Baur in 1967, was partially demolished in 1995 by Suter + Suter Architects and extended with a longitudinal wing along Brüelweg. The current facility, which offers 102 care beds, is now set to be expanded with 45 assisted living apartments. Plans also include a double kindergarten and an enlarged day centre. A chapel of heritage value and a community hall are also integral parts of the complex. The catering facilities will be expanded and made accessible to the public. For this next stage of development, the neighbouring site of the former parish house to the north is available.

The concept is based on refining the volumetric arrangement to create new open spaces and establish a carefully balanced relationship between existing and new buildings. As a first step, structurally ambiguous or obstructive elements are removed. To meet the spatial requirements, the two existing buildings will be extended by one full storey and a recessed top floor. This approach allows the new building to be designed with a reduced footprint. A single-storey pavilion alongside the existing buildings defines a new forecourt, linking the southern garden with the green space in the north-eastern part of the site. The existing chapel will be spatially liberated, allowing it to emerge as a central point of reference within the complex. The ensemble of three staggered volumes follows the site’s natural topography with precision. Each building forms a sensitive relationship with its surroundings in both scale and expression, engaging in a dialogue with the landscape. The newly created outdoor spaces provide high-quality places for encounter and integration, enriching the experience for both residents and visitors. Beyond optimising operational processes, the overarching goal is to create a dignified and harmonious environment.

The forecourt establishes a distinctive sense of place and serves simultaneously as an arrival point, meeting space, and area to pause. It also marks the main entrances to both the care centre and the assisted living facilities. The original 1967 building is structurally well-suited for conversion into small-scale assisted living units. It can also accommodate the kindergarten and additional service areas. The extended longitudinal wing added in 1995 will house the full range of care facilities. In the transitional zone between the care home and the assisted living units, a lobby offers a sheltered space for visual engagement with daily life. To the north, the new building opens towards the village centre and the neighbouring church grounds, creating a public threshold through its direct connection to the community hall and café. On the ground floor, spatial transparency reinforces the open and welcoming character of the entire ensemble. The redesigned facades serve as a unifying element across the three building volumes. The vertical extensions are built using timber construction, continuing the structural logic of the existing buildings. The new building is likewise conceived in timber. To reinforce the relationship between buildings and the surrounding landscape, the publicly accessible outdoor spaces are accentuated with carefully positioned groups of trees.