A groundbreaking 10,000-square-meter workshop facility for people with disabilities has opened in Rosenheim, Germany, showcasing innovative architectural design that combines functionality with social responsibility. The new building, designed by a collaborative team of Opposite Office, studio lot, and hanfstingl architekten, provides 120 workplaces and an integrated support center, offering spaces for document shredding, carpentry, metalworking, and other demanding activities within a bright and welcoming atmosphere that encourages community participation.
The most striking feature of the building is its three distinct courtyards, each shaped as different geometric forms - a triangle, a square, and a circle. These courtyards serve multiple purposes, structuring the building's layout while bringing natural daylight deep into the 50-meter floor plan. They function as orientation points and gathering places for social interaction, while also creating calm, introverted outdoor spaces within the busy Am Oberfeld industrial zone, strategically positioned between road and railway infrastructure.
The architectural team faced a unique challenge in designing an inclusive building without making it explicitly appear as an accessibility-focused facility. Their solution emphasizes openness and transparency through large sightlines that invite interaction between different areas. Round windows and portholes in doors provide glimpses into work areas, reinforcing a strong sense of community throughout the facility. This design approach ensures that the building serves its functional purpose while maintaining an inviting and non-institutional atmosphere.
A special feature of the project is the creation of additional communal areas that were not included in the original program requirements. Through efficient planning that incorporates four sculptural external staircases and a compact circulation ring, the architects were able to realize both a roof terrace and a central common zone between the courtyards at no extra cost to the project. These spaces have become the heart of the workshop, offering dedicated areas for social exchange and interaction among users.
The building's construction utilizes robust materials including steel, concrete, wood, and twin-wall sheets, giving it a durable workshop character suitable for industrial activities. Reinforced concrete was specifically chosen to enable column-free spaces that can accommodate the circulation of pallet trucks and forklifts necessary for the facility's operations. The structural engineering was handled by Köppl Ingenieure, with project management provided by HSP Projektmanagement.
Sustainability plays a significant role in the building's operation and design philosophy. The facility is supplied by district heating from a neighboring carpentry workshop, creating an efficient energy-sharing system within the industrial zone. Additionally, photovoltaic panels installed on the roof contribute to the building's renewable energy generation, reducing its overall environmental impact and operational costs.
From the roof terrace, users can look down into the planted courtyards where growing trees will mature over time, creating an evolving landscape within the building. Blue furniture throughout the facility creates inviting places for users to pause, rest, and connect with one another, reinforcing the building's emphasis on social interaction and community building.
The project represents more than just a workplace - it functions as a space of participation, self-determination, and social interaction. The design philosophy centers on putting the needs of people with disabilities at the forefront while creating a supportive and pleasant working environment that promotes dignity and independence. The collaboration between the three architectural firms - with Opposite Office and studio lot handling design and detail planning, and hanfstingl architekten managing tender and construction phases - resulted in a cohesive vision that successfully balances practical requirements with human-centered design principles.
