A modern building designed with residential spaces and workshops specifically for people with disabilities.
Built in Rothrist, Switzerland, the Borna-Park development provides a warm and modern live/work space in an area surrounded by trees, meadows, and fields. Architecture firm Malte Kloes Architekten designed the building specifically for people with disabilities, focusing on creating not only a powerful sense of community but also a strong connection to nature.
The project comprises two buildings: one with living areas and the other with workshops. Winding pathways connect the two volumes, leading the residents through quiet walks through the verdant site. The residential building features two linked units. On the ground floor, there are communal areas, including the kitchen and dining hall. Here, the studio used oak furniture alongside polished concrete floors in a beautiful dance between warm and cool tones. Upstairs, a series of open spaces create a sequence of dining and living areas. Warm colors and materials like solid wood create a friendly and cozy mood.
Rising two stories tall, the workshop building features a large, double-height hall at the center. This expansive area connects the two workshop spaces. Above, an angled ceiling with clerestory windows floods the interior with natural light. At the same time, the generous among of glazing, installed throughout the building, allows staff supervision and a safe working environment. For this building, the architects chose beech wood and dark green accents as well as exposed technical installations, creating a modern space with a light industrial feel. Photography by Karina Castro.


















