Students of the Faculty of Architecture developed a design consisting in an extension of the Zentralhospital Senior Citizen’s Home in Goerlitz. Our university had established cooperation with the local City Hall

The programme was carried out as part of the course "Residential Architecture for the Elderly" under the supervision of Professor Barbara Gronostajska and Anna Berbesz, PhD and involved students of the fifth year of W1.

The building taken care of by the future architects was built in 1863 and originally intended as a hospital building for the elderly. At present, however, it needs to be extended and adapted to the needs of people with disabilities. As part of the course, at the invitation of Goerlitz City Council and the investor AWO Oberlausitz, the students visited Zentralhospital and other institutions of this type located in the region. Then, in teams of two, they developed the concept of the extension and conversion of the building.

- The main guidelines were determined by the creation of six modules housing 12-14 single rooms and a common space containing a kitchen, a communal dining room and a common room. The rooms were to be equipped with kitchen annexes and bathrooms - explains Professor Barbara Gronostajska, who specialises in designing such facilities. 

Near the end of last year, seven architectural designs were created under the initiative. However, as student projects, they will not be executed, serving as an inspiration for studios that will undertake the creation of the final concept. Instead, the students will be invited to do internships at the design companies responsible for translating the project into reality.

The course participants presented their work at a special show organised in Zentralhospital with the participation of representatives of local authorities, investors, and lecturers of the Brandenburgische Technische Universitat from Cottbus. Currently, their projects are being exhibited at the Goerlitz City Hall.