Conversion and reinforcement of a listed building
Windisch, Switzerland
Competition 1st prize 2014
Planning from 2022
Construction 2023-2026
Königsfelden Main Clinic Building.
Overview
Client
Psychiatric Services of Aargau (PDAG Psychiatrische Dienste Aargau), Windisch, Switzerland
Architecture
huggenbergerfries Architekten AG, Zurich, Switzerland
Landscape architecture
koepflipartner Landschaftsarchitekten BSLA, Lucerne, Switzerland
Team ZPF
Taylan Beyazşahin, Ana Maria Eigenmann, Oliver Fricke, Nicolas Gamper
The approximately 24-hectare site of the Psychiatric Services of Aargau is a historic park landscape. A listed clinic building, designed by architect Ferdinand Carl Rothpletz in 1872, forms a large-scale complex with a “Cour d’honneur”, fitting into this historic setting. In 2020, the new Magnolia ward building was inaugurated to the north of the late-Classical building. The main clinic building was to be used exclusively for offices and therapy in future. Despite the relief provided by the extension, renovation was essential to maintain operations.
Following careful investigation and planning, the existing building was renovated with the minimum possible structural intervention. As the building is listed, including parts of its interior, all renovation measures were coordinated with the relevant authorities.
The load-bearing structure consists predominantly of up to 110 cm thick, solid rubble-stone walls. The basement is constructed with rubble-stone vaults and founded on strip footings beneath the load-bearing walls. From the ground floor upwards, timber beam floors bear on the walls. It was found that some of the walls running parallel to the direction of the beams were not adequately restrained by the floors. As part of the renovation, the building structure was upgraded for seismic resistance in accordance with SIA 269/8. The floor over the second floor was formed as a diaphragm, and the façade and cross walls were connected to it by tie anchors. The gable above the main entrance was also secured. In some areas, load-bearing walls were replaced by timber beams. The roof structure was also strengthened.
Later additions, such as the patient rooms, were removed. The sanitary facilities were relocated to the courtyard-facing projecting wings, as originally intended, with the service routes required for the wet rooms being realised through a new floor slab in the basement and new floors from the first basement level to the first floor. The renovation also included a complete renewal of the building services installations and the necessary measures for new vertical service runs.
The replacement windows use drawn glass, as in the original building. The interior and exterior surfaces were restored by brush application. The new interior colour and material concept is based on the findings of the conservation colour analysis and uses subtle shades of white and grey. By contrast, the representative rooms in the centre of the building feature stronger colours and high-quality materials. They will continue to be used as event and seminar spaces. A contemporary lighting concept completes the renovation.