graft constructs house in sankt augustin as temporary sanctuary
image © tobias hein
all images courtesy of graft

 

 

 

berlin-based studio graft has been commissioned by the ronald mcdonald foundation to design the community house in sankt augustin as a place of refuge for families whose children are hospitalized and receiving treatment. the metal-clad structure takes on a particularly eye-catching form as a bending solid that ends in a characteristic angular peel from the ground floor. the front facade is purely glass that allows views to the surrounding gardens from the community space inside.
graft constructs house in sankt augustin as temporary sanctuary
image © tobias hein

 

a long table and kitchen serves the various families as a place of gathering and preparing meals together, helping one another to cope with their very personal yet similar situations. along the inclined floor an interactive ramp serves various functions both on an individual and public scale. seating and areas for lying down provide spaces for relaxation and reflection; a playground for children and performance stage gives children the chance to entertain themselves and others, and quiet work areas give adults the spaces they may require as well. each of the 25 apartments are oriented towards the sunset, elevated above the communal space to give them views of the garden as well.
graft constructs house in sankt augustin as temporary sanctuary
sunset-facing units enjoy equal views
image © tobias hein

graft constructs house in sankt augustin as temporary sanctuary
particular shape creates a confident architecture that inspires strength in its inhabitants
image © tobias hein

graft constructs house in sankt augustin as temporary sanctuary
image © tobias hein

graft constructs house in sankt augustin as temporary sanctuary
image © tobias hein

graft constructs house in sankt augustin as temporary sanctuary
entrance located under the uplifted corner of the structure
image © tobias hein

graft constructs house in sankt augustin as temporary sanctuary
view of the interactive ramp
image © tobias hein

graft constructs house in sankt augustin as temporary sanctuary
upstairs hallway transitions from community space to private apartments
image © tobias hein

graft constructs house in sankt augustin as temporary sanctuary
communal space with elongated table and more intimate seating areas as well as a kitchen
image © tobias hein

graft constructs house in sankt augustin as temporary sanctuary
each room contains custom furniture
image © tobias hein

 

 

project info:

 

 

architects: graft
location: sankt augustin / germany
surface: metal
year/status: 2014, completed
structure: reinforced concrete, steel construction
materials: metal, glas, wood,
project team: founding partner: lars krückeberg, wolfram putz, thomas willemeit
project lead: raphael hemmer
team: stefanie götz, rita schmidt, sebastian gernhardt, denis hegic, izabela pavel, alexandra tobescu
client/contractor: mcdonald’s kinderhilfe stiftung
partner/consultants:  ed.züblin ag, berlin; springmann architektur gmbh, esslingen
photography: tobias hein, berlin