New Therapy Building
A new therapy center for children and adolescents with disabilities has been constructed on the park-like grounds of the Diakonie in Traunreut.
The white building stands out confidently among the surrounding trees. Its facade, with textured plaster panels reminiscent of paintings and distinct vertical mullions, gives the three-story south elevation a representative, expressive character. A recessed aluminum parapet and subtly offset base line add a sense of lightness. The long side facades, featuring projecting and recessed elements, create rich spatial figures that allow the building to respond differently to its surroundings in every direction. On the north side, the building integrates into the existing development with two stories and forms a dedicated drop-off and pick-up zone for the day care center.
Inside, a wide variety of therapy rooms, group rooms, offices, and auxiliary spaces are organized into different spatial clusters. These are further defined by the projecting and recessed elements of the layout. The resulting transitional areas serve not only circulation purposes but also function as spaces for communication, play, or breaks. The motif of the exterior plaster fields is echoed inside through colored floor inlays at these gathering points.
It was essential for us to create a dignified and aesthetically pleasing environment that takes the personalities of the children and adolescents seriously—an environment that can have a healing influence on their inner world. Despite a limited budget, the building achieves a rich spatial experience through geometry and modest materials alone.
Structurally, the highly energy-efficient building consists of 49 cm thick unfilled monolithic clay block walls with purely mineral-based plaster. The materials are designed for long durability and can be refurbished throughout the building’s lifespan. Combined with the compact, basement-free structure and efficient floor plans, this approach ensured that construction costs remained within budget—especially when viewed over the planned usage duration.
