To create living space for Romania’s poorest families, the Swiss publisher Bruno Schwengeler initiated the Christian-humanitarian project, Ethos Open Hands.  In addition to residential buildings, schools, health centres, and a home for the elderly were also built.

Project Essentials

  • LocationCraiova, Rumänien
  • ClientEthos Open Hands
  • ArchitectAllen + Maurer Architects
  • Size33,400 ft² (3,100 m²)

Two buildings, one purpose – to make getting old as pleasant as possible. The larger wing consists of the residential and nursing home, in the smaller one, the associated medical centre. Both buildings were newly constructed and incorporated a second floor. An above-ground passage provides a connection to both wings, and both have full basements.

The basement is reinforced with concrete construction, as are the stiffening staircase and elevator shaft cores. Timber frame construction was used for the two storeys above grade.

Fast + Epp was responsible for all concrete construction components as well as seismic design for this humanitarian project.