REHAB Basel

From the beginning, the client wanted the new REHAB (a private rehabilitation center for physically disabled and brain-injured patients) to not look like a hospital. But what exactly should we not do? What is a hospital? Elevators, internal corridors lined with countless doors leading to hospital rooms or examination offices, waiting rooms at the end of the hall, or additional elevators. The same scheme repeats on as many floors as local regulations allow - an economic solution that is repeated to the extreme and does not require any adaptations to the needs of users. And with a café in the lobby.
In the rehabilitation center, people usually live for up to 18 months after some accident. It is a place where they learn to cope with changes in their lives and to become independent to the fullest extent possible. During the day, they work with therapists and doctors. They live here and spend their free time. They meet with their families and friends. They have a regular daily schedule like us, with one significant difference: everything takes place in one location.
Since patients are so limited (they must spend such a long time in REHAB), we decided that our task would be to create a multifunctional and varied building, almost like a town with streets, squares (courtyards 1-5), gardens (French, English, water), public amenities (swimming pool), and isolated residential areas, where people can get from point A to B via several different paths. We tried to create an environment that allows patients as much independence as possible.

We ask any potential visitors to respect the privacy of the patients and not to enter the premises. However, a paid tour can be arranged in advance with the staff.