Creating a temporary home for children and young people with support needs demands thoughtful attention to multiple aspects—from educational and pediatric care to architectural design. Kemper Steiner & Partner Architekten has accomplished precisely this with their design for a supportive residential facility in Altenbochum for the Auszeit Foundation. The building prioritizes one clear goal: providing respite and renewal for parents, children, and siblings alike.

Positioned southeast of Bochum's city center, the new structure presents a climate-conscious design clad in warm timber. The street-facing elevation curves gently around an inviting entrance before opening into an inverted "U" shape—creating a sheltered outdoor zone filled with varied play areas and spaces for quiet rest. With two stories anchored to a sloped site, the basement functions as both practical support and protection, finished in plaster while the upper levels wear a breathable rear-ventilated larch façade that radiates warmth and calm. Across roughly 1,000 m² of usable area, the building accommodates 16 wheelchair-accessible bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, two parent rooms with bathrooms, a specialized care bath with adjustable nursing tub, and generous communal spaces with an integrated kitchen. Additional programming includes a gathering room, a Snoezel room for sensory relaxation and therapy, and a creative studio. Below ground, a full teaching kitchen for cooking activities with the children, a therapeutic pool, and administrative offices complete the program. Soft curves throughout the design support barrier-free circulation for users with mobility needs, while a warm color palette assigns each of four groups to distinct color worlds, reinforced by carefully selected animal motifs that appear in wall treatments, bathrooms, staircases, and elevators.

The expansive outdoor terrain along the approach ramp embraces the natural slope, offering a slide, accessible swing, carousel, and a sensory garden. A striking focal point is the "amphitheater" constructed from natural stone blocks—a gathering space that can be shaded with retractable sails as needed.

www.kemper-steiner-partner.de

Photography:
Kemper Steiner & Partner GmbH

(Published in CUBE Ruhrgebiet 04|25)