ems riond-vert – vouvry

The building blends seamlessly with the unique topography, aligning itself along a key axis that connects the village’s main public buildings. The design consists of three elongated blocks placed side by side, integrating harmoniously into the village setting while reflecting the layout of nearby public amenities such as the daycare, school, and municipal swimming pool. The varying heights of the blocks give the EMS a human scale, echoing the proportions of the village. This thoughtful design fosters a welcoming atmosphere where residents feel “at home” and creates a variety of outdoor spaces.

To the southwest, facing Chemin du Grand-Clos, the arrangement of the blocks forms a welcoming main entrance. This central point efficiently organizes vehicle access, including deliveries and visitor parking.

On the northeast side, the sloped terrain has been reimagined as a café terrace, naturally sheltered from the wind and shaded by mature trees. This outdoor space connects directly to a public walkway, encouraging interaction with the life of the village.

The landscaping has been designed to suit the location of each outdoor area. To the east, along the main axis, there is a public park. Near the main entrance, a semi-private garden provides a more intimate setting. Meanwhile, to the northwest, a secluded and enclosed space caters specifically to residents in the psychogeriatric units. Every outdoor area has been designed to encourage movement and social interaction.

The main entrance is located at the heart of the building, streamlining access to administrative areas while ensuring smooth and efficient circulation throughout. The northeast wing houses public spaces in a flexible, open-plan layout. This area is designed to be easily adaptable, with zones that can serve different functions. The kitchen is positioned to efficiently serve both the cafeteria and dining areas while staying close to the delivery zone. More private spaces, such as those used for therapeutic care, are located in quieter areas of the building.

On the upper floors, the layout of the rooms is designed to create shared spaces of various sizes and functions, encouraging a range of activities and social interactions. Each floor includes outdoor areas with unique views, such as the large terrace on the second floor, which provides a visual connection with the daycare children.

The upper floors are built with a solid timber structure, using load-bearing walls and slabs, except for the stair and elevator cores. The timber slabs run perpendicular to the room façades, spanning distances of 7.4 to 8 meters. This approach allows for maximum flexibility in arranging room layouts while ensuring the structure remains robust and reliable.

The upper floors rest on a reinforced concrete base, including a foundation slab, walls, and structural supports. The base evenly distributes the weight of the timber structure above across the parking-level supports. The relatively lightweight timber structure allows the concrete slab to remain thinner than usual.

The stair and elevator cores, made from reinforced concrete, run from the foundation to the roof. These cores enhance the seismic stability of the timber structure by anchoring it securely, while also compartmentalizing escape routes in the event of a fire.

The building’s material choices are reflected in its façade design. A concrete base supports the wooden façades of the residential units, with each floor featuring a slightly different treatment to highlight the individuality of the units.

In summary, the new Riond-Vert EMS is designed to provide a safe, welcoming environment for residents while also serving as a space for intergenerational connections. The building stands out for its openness to the surrounding landscape, with its block-like composition and outdoor spaces offering 360-degree panoramic views. The ground floor’s open-plan design, combined with a fully glazed base, enhances the sense of transparency and accessibility. The building has become a central part of Vouvry’s social fabric, serving the needs of the entire community.