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DETAIL

Dwellings for Senior Citizens in Domat/Ems

The 20 two-room dwellings with an area of 57 m² each are laid out on four floors and are designed to meet the needs of the disabled. The building is in an economical and energy-saving form of construction (see p. 634). While the south facade of the elongated volume is fully glazed, the rendered north face is largely closed. This is reflected in the layout: along the northern side, the dwellings are flanked by a spacious access zone with sitting areas as well as private storage spaces. Through a large window, the dining corner in the kitchen is also oriented to the semi-public staircase. In the south-facing living room and bedroom, in contrast, residents can enjoy their privacy and a view to the mountain landscape.

Dwellings for Senior Citizens in Domat/Ems
© Gaston Wicky

The solid form of construction, consisting of concrete floor slabs and 12–18 cm sandlime brick walls, allows a passive exploitation of solar energy. With a 20 cm external layer of insulation, the development complies with the Swiss passive-energy standard. Housed in the first cavity of the translucent triple glazing to the south-facing bedrooms are prismatic glass elements that reflect sunlight in summer while allowing lower altitude sunshine to enter in winter (see ill. above). In the second cavity, a hydrate of salt in grey polycarbonate hollow slabs forms a latent thermal storage mass. When exposed to solar radiation, it melts and absorbs thermal energy; on cooling, the energy is released and heats the internal spaces.

Architecture
Dietrich Schwarz
Location
Sur Falveng, 7013 Domat /Ems (CH)

Gallery

Summary

Issue
06/2007 Energy-Efficent Architecture
Author
-
Source
DETAIL
Location
Switzerland, Domat /Ems
Year of construction
-
Year of completion
-
Architecture
Dietrich Schwarz

Participants & manufacturers

Architecture
Dietrich Schwarz
Interior design
Misapor AG

Categories

Magazine
Energy-Efficent Architecture
Building type
Dormitory
Load bearing structure
Timber
Reinforced concrete

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