HEALING ARCHITECTURE

A relaxing landscape

Many would probably have chosen such a location – on the Hertenstein peninsula, surrounded by Lake Lucerne, with views of Bürgenstock, Rigi and Pilatus. The surrounding green and relaxing landscape is characterised by agriculture and tourism, and the complex is located in a park-like setting with large open spaces and lushly planted forest and lakeside zones, including hiking and strolling paths. Here, however, it is not just about the charm of the place, but rather about the optimal conditions for a rehabilitation centre, which includes a neurological clinic with a campus hotel for family members.

adjusted materiality

The planning task was to design a new building for the medical centre with patient rooms that would blend in with the existing hotel on the banks of the river in a restrained and landscape-friendly manner. Designed with a very delicate volume thanks to a bar-like, vertical façade structure and a balcony layer in front of it, the architectural language of the Zurich office of Marques Architekten not only develops a differentiated response to the particular topography of the surroundings, but also takes up the typical local timber architecture – the façades were given a bronze-coloured anodised aluminium aesthetic, which is similar in colour and structure to the wooden buildings of the old hamlets in the surrounding area. The wooden metal windows are connected to a sun protection system with roller blinds. The main access to the new building is via the ground-floor entrance level with reception and service areas. Above this are three upper floors with the rooms of the rehabilitation clinic. There is also access to the rehabilitation rooms in the intermediate building. Light-coloured materials and a functional interior design were chosen for the interiors. Predominantly seamless and low-reflection coverings and surfaces were used. Overall, however, all design issues, including dimmable lighting, had to take into account not only the facility’s staff, but also the highly sensitive patients.

What are the key qualities of a good workplace for you?
Marques Architekten: “It is the socio-architectural solution to the demands of our time.” It must be as collaborative as it is protective. Because in an increasingly digitalised working world, it must meet the growing need for social exchange and personal interaction. Only then can it become a workplace of social well-being and inspiration, which is ultimately the decisive quality of a workplace.
Do you see any similarities in interior design for living and working?
“Working is living, living is working.” This concept largely reflects today’s general view of modern forms of work. The traditional boundaries between work and private life, between working and living, are becoming less and less clearly defined. The balance between life and work has become a socially critical issue. The impact on the world of work and ultimately on the architecture of the workspace is enormous. Workspaces are becoming living spaces and vice versa.
Which functional aspects do you consider to be the most important in the future development of workspaces?
“Less specific, more unspecific.” The workplace of the future will be increasingly location-independent. In many professional fields, the traditional workplace will be replaced by a flexible environment that is customised to current tasks. This means that we architects will also have to make our workspaces more flexible and less specific. We need to create spaces and places that allow for dialogue and collaboration. We think we have succeeded in doing this in an exemplary way with the Cereneo Centre.