PRESS

Growing old in a convent

The new illerSENIO Campus in Laupheim combines care, assisted living, and monastic life within a holistic senior living quarter – supported by accessible system solutions from HEWI.

On the grounds of the Holy Trinity Monastery, which for decades was shaped by monastic life, a new quarter is nearing completion that unites spiritual tradition with modern forms of care and living. With the completion of the first construction phase in 2024, the transformation of the site is becoming visible. Solutions from manufacturer HEWI contribute to implementing accessibility consistently and functionally in sanitary and hardware areas.

The starting point for the redesign and new development was the competition-winning design by dopo architekten from 2019. Together with the order of the Steyler Missionary Sisters and the operator illerSENIO, the planning team developed a long-term usage concept for the site. The first construction phase included a nursing home with 90 places, complemented by assisted living units, including apartments for the sisters. Further phases will include additional residential offerings, a day-care center, a social care station, and a seminar center with an adjoining conference hotel. Altogether, the project comprises a net floor area of approximately 11,550 square meters.

Architecture Between Existing and New Structures

The chapel and cloister continue to form the spatial heart of the complex: “Together with the nursing home and assisted living facilities, they create the new monastery ensemble as an identity-defining center,” explains lead architect Magnus Postweiler.

The new buildings follow their orientation and combine the ensemble into a clearly structured overall composition. A reinterpreted “monastery wall” connects the care facilities, assisted living, and spiritual spaces while creating selective openings that establish visual relationships and access between interior and exterior spaces.

The facade and interior design are characterized by a bright, contemporary architectural language. Above a sand-colored base on the ground floor rise upper stories clad in wood, whose natural surfaces give the building a warm and welcoming appearance. Large window openings allow daylight to penetrate deep into the rooms and strengthen the relationship with the surrounding park landscape, while balconies provide additional recreational quality.

This atmosphere continues consistently indoors. Wooden elements in floors, partitions, and wall surfaces, combined with a calm color concept in green and gray tones, shape the interior design. Open communal areas with seating promote interaction and orientation in daily life, while residents’ rooms are designed as private retreats. Their wet rooms were prefabricated using timber modular construction. Wide, light-filled corridors with carefully placed sightlines structure the building and support its open spatial organization.

The buildings integrate sensitively into the existing park landscape, whose green spaces serve as places for recreation and encounters. A forecourt in front of the chapel further strengthens the connection to the surrounding residential neighborhood.

Accessibility as a Planning Principle

Accessible design forms a central component of the architectural concept. HEWI system solutions specifically developed for healthcare and care environments were used throughout. System 900 combines functional details, durable materials, and hygienically optimized surfaces in a clear, reduced design language. Products from System 162, fittings, and a shower stool from the LifeSystem were also installed. These solutions simplify everyday usability and contribute to a consistent design language throughout the building. Different color and material options – predominantly matte black – allow the products to be precisely coordinated with the interior concept. The result is an environment that supports residents’ safety, comfort, and independence while simultaneously facilitating workflows in everyday care.

Designed Sustainably

The project is also designed for long-term energy efficiency. Air-source heat pumps and photovoltaic systems cover a large portion of energy demand, while modern building technology efficiently controls energy flows. The avoidance of fossil fuels underlines the project’s sustainable approach. Sustainability is also reflected in the architectural treatment of the existing structures – for example, through the preservation of defining building elements and densification within the existing infrastructure. 

With “Growing Old in a Monastery,” Laupheim is gaining a place that combines a sensitive approach to historic substance with a clear architectural vision. The project demonstrates how social infrastructure can be designed in a functionally sophisticated, accessible, and atmospheric way while consistently focusing on the needs of the people who live and work there.

Facts and figures:

HEWI Heinrich Wilke GmbH

Since its foundation in 1929, HEWI has developed into a system provider for comprehensive solutions in the areas of building hardware, sanitary accessories, and accessible products. Over the past 95 years, the company has grown to become a leader in the field of accessibility and a recognised expert in system design. In line with Universal Design, the focus for HEWI is on people’s individual needs.

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