A new architectural complex featuring innovative green-tinted timber facades and distinctive saw-tooth roofing has been completed in Rothrist, in Switzerland's Aargau canton. The project, designed by Malte Kloes Architects from Zurich, creates a modern residential and workshop facility for people with disabilities, replacing aging structures that had served the community since 1978.
Borna Park, which has provided housing and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities for nearly five decades, recently welcomed two new buildings that represent a significant upgrade to the facility's infrastructure. The old structures are currently being demolished to make way for new park landscaping. Malte Kloes Architects served as both designers and general planners for the project, working in collaboration with the Office for Building Economics from Kriens. The landscape design was handled by Andreas Geser Landscape Architects from Zurich.
The residential building, positioned on the northern section of the property, consists of two point buildings connected at the basement and ground floor levels. Rather than employing strict square geometries, the architects deliberately broke up hard edges and right angles, creating a dynamic and fluid floor plan. The load-bearing structure utilizes solid construction methods with reinforced concrete slabs supported by concrete and masonry walls. The exterior is wrapped in a facade of light green white fir timber that gives the complex its distinctive character.
The ground floor accommodates administrative offices, a cafeteria, and a dining hall with kitchen facilities. The upper floors are dedicated to residential spaces, organized into small groups with shared dining and living areas that cluster around central circulation and service cores on each level. The interior atmosphere is defined by large window surfaces offering views into the surrounding greenery, warm and muted color schemes, and visible wood and concrete surfaces that celebrate the building's materiality.
The workshop facilities and a large storage hall are housed in a staggered building volume located in the southern portion of the site. A distinctive saw-tooth roof defines the building's silhouette while providing natural daylight to the interior spaces. The two-story hall construction employs a post-and-beam system using laminated veneer lumber beams made from beech wood. Both the structural system and building services remain visible throughout the interior, creating a reduced and clear aesthetic that emphasizes function and materials.
The facade treatment for the workshop building mirrors that of the residential structures, using rough-sawn white fir boards, though executed in a darker green tone that helps distinguish the different functions while maintaining visual cohesion across the complex. This thoughtful use of color and material creates a hierarchy within the development while ensuring the buildings work together as a unified ensemble.
The new buildings were officially opened in September of this year, marking the completion of the construction phase. The first half of the coming year will see the completion of outdoor spaces and pathways that will form the daily routes for residents moving between different areas of the facility. These connecting elements are designed to enhance the community aspect of the development and provide pleasant, accessible routes through the landscaped grounds.
The total project cost, including land acquisition and furnishing expenses according to construction cost plan categories 0 through 9, is currently estimated at approximately 70 million euros gross. This substantial investment reflects the comprehensive nature of the redevelopment and the high-quality standards applied throughout the design and construction process. The project demonstrates how thoughtful architecture can create dignified, functional spaces that serve vulnerable populations while contributing positively to the broader community and landscape.
