House of Social Care Tereza

In the hilly terrain of the outskirts of Semily, we designed a two-story assisted living facility for clients of the social care home for people with disabilities, situated in a solitary residential neighborhood of family homes. The plot intended for the new building is located in the southeastern part of Semily. The southern slope allows the building to open up to picturesque panoramas with views of the opposite forested ridge. The entrance to the building is on the upper floor on the northern side of the plot, at the level of the adjacent public road. The placement of the lower floor into the terrain helps that from the access road, the house appears as a single-story building.

The sunny location of the plot, the presence of mature greenery, and the overall tranquil context of the area create suitable conditions for integrating the building into the existing structure. With respect to the scale of the surrounding buildings and the natural shape of the terrain, we proposed a humble solitary structure that complements the overall urban image of the place.

The house provides sheltered housing for 18 people. Each of the four households has a similar layout, centered around a living space with a kitchen and dining area, from which there is access to four single rooms (with the possibility of converting into double rooms) and technical rooms. Two rooms always share a common sanitary facility. On each floor, there is also one studio apartment for respite care services.

The operation of the building is longitudinally divided into three functional zones. The northern part consists of operational and technical facilities, the middle zone includes common living areas, and the southern part is designated for rooms with south-facing loggias.

Near the main entrance, there is an elevator to the lower floor that ensures full accessibility of the building, along with shared administrative and technical spaces.

All parking spaces are also accessible. The communication areas inside and outside the building meet the requirements for minimum widths and slopes, while crosswalks and sidewalks are designed to avoid obstacles for individuals with limited mobility or orientation. Entrances, as well as horizontal and vertical connections, ensure accessibility to all areas of the house. Each accommodation unit is designed to be usable by people with disabilities. The workspaces for staff and visitor areas are designed to be freely accessible to all users.

The architectural solution of the building corresponds to its mass and operational concept. The structural system is based on load-bearing brick and reinforced concrete walls. The horizontal structure consists of bidirectionally stressed reinforced concrete slabs supplemented with framing beams. The foundations of the building are based on geological survey results and are constructed on strip footings. The landscaping requires the implementation of angular retaining walls extending up to one floor high. The exterior façade combines mineral insulation, brick cladding strips, and aluminum infill for openings, achieving the desired thermal, acoustic, and fire safety parameters. The interior construction consists of combinations of brick and drywall partitions, with acoustic brick blocks used between individual accommodation units.

The garden complements the overall concept of the building and expands its living possibilities with a quality outdoor space that supports social and quiet activities for residents. The terrain and vegetation adjustments follow the natural character of the slope and utilize the existing qualities of the site. The grassy area near the house allows for free movement and uncomplicated outdoor activities, while the steeper sections are planted with a shrub layer that provides visual softness and naturally defines different parts of the garden. The proposal also includes a woodshed, composters, a space with a fire pit, and a gazebo. The spatial composition of the garden takes into account the needs of different user groups – here we find a swing for relaxation, a tree with a concentric circular bench, or an outdoor shower.