Expanding care through community design

The state care center in Styria has been thoughtfully expanded and reimagined by the Wohn- und Siedlungsgenossenschaft Ennstal for Volkshilfe Steiermark. A new extension now houses both a care facility and a childcare center, promoting multigenerational interaction within a cohesive architectural layout. The expanded care home features three new residential communities, each with 15 beds, complementing the existing 45-bed facility. Residents can choose between single and double rooms, spread across two levels with generous communal spaces throughout.

Indoor flow and outdoor gathering

Entry begins with a welcoming foyer that leads to a lively internal “village square,” connecting to a central courtyard. These open sightlines and circulation spaces foster a feeling of lightness and accessibility. Outdoor areas—including shaded verandas and sunlit terraces—invite residents and visitors to enjoy time outdoors throughout the year. These shared zones support both quiet reflection and social exchange, anchoring the project in a community-oriented ethos.

A nurturing space for early childhood

The new childcare center accommodates three groups ranging from nursery to kindergarten age. South-facing and inward-looking, the classrooms are filled with natural light and open onto a wraparound veranda that offers shaded play areas. Functional spaces are arranged along the northern edge of the building, allowing the educational zones to remain peaceful and protected while still feeling open and airy. The result is a calm, secure environment that supports early learning and connection to the outdoors.

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