Physiotherapy center on the slope in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska

...

Project idea

The subject of the thesis is the project "Physiotherapy Center on the slope in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska" – A innovative rehabilitation center adapted to the needs of people with motor organ dysfunctions and meeting the needs of therapists in order to create a place that integrates all target groups and enables patients to recover and provide appropriate working conditions for physiotherapists. The building meets all the requirements analyzed in sociological research among people using physiotherapy services. Although the facility is located on a slope, its location is not a problem for people with mobility impairments. Solutions have been designed in this work to ensure the accessibility of the facility and its surrounding spaces. The center is surrounded by greenery and fits into the area through the use of neutral finishing materials such as wood or concrete. Designed medical centers should take into account the needs of all people using them. Facilities must be fully adapted to a special group, namely people with mobility difficulties. Rehabilitation facilities do not always provide patients with appropriate conditions for physical healing. By isolating physical therapy into a single room, these spaces do little to promote movement, enliven the senses, and help patients recover. Facilities with a rehabilitation function often take little into account the opinions of users in their solutions. Therefore, there is a need to work with patients to gain additional insight into what design elements are required to facilitate optimal physical activity, human engagement, and psychological responses during therapy delivery. This work will be devoted to
the idea of designing architecture for physical rehabilitation by optimizing therapeutic spaces in order to achieve the full well-being of users.

Project description

The planned facility is located on a slope at the border of the city of Kalwaria Zebrzydowska in the Małopolska province; in a picturesque location among greenery, near the main road. The choice of the plot was determined by the Local Spatial Development Plan, where it was designated for medical or tourism-related services. The main aspect of the concept was to fit the building into the slope. Therefore, the volume was divided into 2 segments at different heights, in order to gain access to both the lower and upper parts of the hill. The shape is legible and modular, just like the interior layout, in order to improve communication for people with mobility difficulties. The lower segment is a more open and public part, while the upper one consists exclusively of therapy. Connecting the two segments with a wide communication strip with islands intended for relaxation is also intended to illustrate the path the patient must follow during rehabilitation. The patient passes through the lower segment of the reception and waiting room, through the main communication challenge in the form of a staircase, then through the upper rehabilitation segment to the exit on the other side of the building, heading to the top of the slope - towards full recovery.The rehabilitation centre building was designed at the foot of the slope, in a place where the slope is the gentlest. The investment is located in the city area and is a response to the growing needs of healthcare facilities. The planned development of the area was developed taking into account existing local conditions. The aim of the project was to create a centre of the building's surroundings, which, thanks to the harmony of architectural solutions and existing and planned natural elements, will complement the character of the place and at the same time will complement the function that the facility will perform. The design also included the construction of a new surface for the pavements and squares around the centre and elements of small architecture in the form of benches, baskets, bicycle racks, flower pots and landscaped greenery.

Technical information

The building was designed using monolithic reinforced concrete technology. The grid of structural axes is modular with a spacing of 550 and 545 cm, the largest span is 630 cm. The entire structure is based on reinforced concrete columns with a square profile of 35 x 35 cm, located in the underground garage. Monolithic structural walls 25 cm wide are interwoven with 35 cm thick walls acting as retaining walls in the sections located underground. The structure of the entrance ramp to the underground car park is separated from the main structure of the building by expansion joints. Ceilings 30 cm thick in the entire building are also designed in a monolithic reinforced concrete structure. Flat utility, non-utility and green flat roofs are made of 30 cm thick reinforced concrete. The main part of the building under the -1 level is founded on a 70 cm thick foundation slab and secured with 10 cm thick lean concrete; at the level of -485 cm from the 0.00 level. The elevation of the ground corresponding to the foundation is 293.73 m above sea level. The remaining parts of the building located on the slope have a stepped foundation: the ground floor at the level of -190 cm from the 0.00 level, the first floor at the level of -190 from the level of +4.20. The column supporting the overhang above the main entrance is founded separately on a foundation footing reinforced with underground walls connecting with the main structure of the building.