Deafblind people are guided by their sense of touch and smell and the perception of vibrations. The new school and residential building of the ‘Tanne’ Swiss Centre of Competence for the Deafblind is constructed with these senses in mind. Our project team planned and created the timber construction and the facade.
With extensive expertise and experience in structural engineering, facade construction and interior design, we were able to make a substantial contribution to the project for the hybrid construction made of timber and concrete, while also providing several different trades. In constructive collaboration and constant coordination with all project stakeholders, the two interconnected, three-storey buildings were built for living and learning. Their core and the underground garage are made of concrete, as are the ceilings that were set in concrete on the timber supports. The timber volumes attached to the concrete core form the classrooms and living spaces. Vertical spruce boarding was used for the facade and set off with milled or perforated design elements. For the architect, the benefits of the timber construction lie in its implementation as the timber and concrete project teams can work simultaneously thanks to the prefabrication of the wood elements. Sustainability also plays an important role. The architect also noted that the residents appreciate the comfortable living environment and really enjoy touching the wood.
