Building in a Sensitive Environment: A Conversation with Felix Jakob, Managing Director of the Hirsacker Foundation.

The Hirsacker Foundation is a private foundation based in Liesberg, Canton of Basel-Landschaft. By public mandate, it offers places in "Supported Living" as well as in "Accompanied Day Structuring" specifically for people on the autism spectrum. Founded in 1987, more than 60 employees are currently dedicated to enabling clients to lead self-determined and fulfilling lives. Tailored to individual needs, the services include nature-oriented, manual, and creative activities that take place in a safe and supportive environment, focusing on joy of life, development opportunities, and social inclusion. Maintenance work that has become necessary is now being undertaken by Blaser Architects. This encompasses several properties of the Hirsacker Foundation, particularly the "Riederwald" residential building and the "Hirsacker" area. A first sub-project has already been completed, with other works still pending.

What was the original condition of the facility, and why were maintenance works necessary?

In the past, urgently needed maintenance works were repeatedly postponed, leading to the buildings no longer meeting current standards in terms of living quality, organizational circumstances, and contemporary pedagogical guidelines. These maintenance works have been intensely planned over the last three years and have already been tackled in several stages. The foundation for this effort was our mandate to create a place for clients that offers joy of life and quality of life—that is, allowing for the greatest possible self-determination and normalized living arrangements. Therefore, the needs of the clients are, of course, at the forefront, along with new operational requirements.

What factors create a particularly positive living environment for people on the autism spectrum?

A safe and supportive environment plays an enormously important role, as does clear orientation for clients. The goal is for residents to be able to orient themselves easily and manage their daily lives as independently as possible. The interior and exterior design should take this into account and create spaces that are low in stimuli, clear, and thoughtfully designed, while also radiating security and warmth. Chaos and disorder should be avoided at all costs. Sensible lighting and color schemes, as well as the use of pleasant materials, are aspects we have included. Additionally, private zones or various seating and lying options offer clients the opportunity to withdraw and relax.

An environment with the greatest possible accessibility is also important, as it enables self-determination, participation, and inclusion. As a basic principle, the needs of the clients should be best combined with the organizational needs of the institution. Finding the right balance is important. Spaces should not be overwhelming and should be low in stimuli in all cases.

What specific structural adaptations were necessary to make your facility better suited for clients?

As with probably any project implemented during ongoing operations, we first had to analyze the internal processes of the organization and explore the spatial possibilities. This process was time-consuming, as even the smallest workflows had to be meticulously considered with the care teams. This also required close collaboration with the relevant authorities, whose requirements must also be taken into account.

Since it was a fundamental renovation, many functional considerations followed in the second step: Whether it's organization, material or color choices, surfaces, light, or noise sources—all these aspects, as mentioned above, play important roles and must be taken into account. Potential dangers must be avoided, and the greatest possible accessibility must be planned in—especially in the wet areas or kitchens, where there is an added risk of injury due to slip hazards or electricity. All of this must be addressed while simultaneously creating an atmosphere as low in stimuli as possible that fosters joy of life, quality of life, and self-determination.

Does the knowledge of needs and adaptations derive from everyday work practice, or were conversations with clients and other stakeholders also conducted?

Both—as well as through visiting a similar institution to see how spaces and processes are designed there. The Klosterfiechten residential home, run by LIV «Living in Diversity», caters to very similar clients. The tour and conversations with caregivers were very beneficial for us.

Furthermore, we closely involved our network of experts in the planning process, and the autism expert Lambert Schonewille supported us with many questions. However, it's essential to focus on the knowledge and needs of clients and caregivers—particularly regarding daily routines and the spatial situation on site.

Were there structural constraints or legal requirements that contradicted the needs? What challenges arose during planning and implementation? Any unexpected hurdles?

In our case, we dealt with existing buildings, and the plans were sometimes incomplete or outdated. For instance, we also had to renovate the sewage system in one residential building, a need we identified through discussions with the relevant authorities. Having studied architecture at ETH years ago certainly helped in this process. Organizational considerations and ideas could be architecturally thought through from the start and integrated into the overall project. Collaborating with Zeljko Marin from Blaser Architects made things easier, not only because of his keen interest in the task but also because of our professional exchange.

Do the human senses play a larger/different role in the autism context?

Yes, because sensory perception is different for people on the autism spectrum and varies per client, as it is a spectrum. Low stimuli related to noise and light, clarity, as well as safety and self-determination, play important roles. Colors should not be too bright, light sources not too harsh, and materials and surfaces should feel pleasant and be as safe as possible. Overall, it's about safety, clarity, accessibility, low stimuli, and a pleasant spatial perception.

Will the new spatial design significantly impact the daily lives of residents?

It is indeed the case that clients can orient themselves more easily in clearly defined spaces. Of course, we have also deliberately communicated new processes. We try to facilitate wayfinding and orientation with simple visualizations and pictograms. The construction phase itself is certainly challenging: work must only be carried out when clients are not present. Naturally, this requires the involved construction companies to bring more flexibility in terms of time and planning than in their regular projects. For us, this leads to higher costs.

The changes are intended to impact not only the residents, but also provide significant relief for staff in a space that positively influences their clients. Through intentional room design, places emerge that are not only functional but also supportive—for everyone involved.

More blog posts

Michael Fritschi
Anna Stärk
/
11. March 2025

More natural light, lower energy consumption, and streamlined costs

… How Glazing Systems Sustainably Brighten Spaces In our projects, the use and integration of light always play a central role. Whether in offices, laboratories, or residential spaces, daylight is a crucial factor in both new construction and renovation projects. And for good reason—flooded with natural light, rooms not only create a pleasant atmosphere and a sense of spaciousness but also significantly impact energy efficiency and indoor climate. Last but not least, light and air have been proven to influence human psychology. In the following, we take a closer look at the key aspects of daylight planning from an architectural perspective and how the right glazing systems can enhance daylight supply in interior spaces.

Anna Stärk
/
28. May 2024

Relaunch Blaser Architects

Founded in 1993, our office can now look back on a career spanning more than 30 years. 30 years in which we have been able to implement a large number of exciting projects, gain experience and, last but not least, continuously develop ourselves. What has remained the same is the passion for our profession and the unconditional thirst for knowledge and the will to share it, because more than ever we believe that it is not about preserving know-how and experience, but about sharing and passing it on - this is the only way to create mutual exchange, progress and participation. Our company claim “sharing experience” is intended to fulfill this desire and is part of our relaunch, which we implemented on the occasion of our 30th company anniversary...

Credit David Walter
Anna Stärk
/
21. January 2025

NEW PROJECT BRIEFLY INTRODUCED: HORTUS, House of Research, Technology, Utopia, and Sustainability, Opening in June 2025

Architecture and science – two fields that go hand in hand in the Basel region. These aspects are skillfully intertwined on the MAIN CAMPUS of the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area in Allschwil. This life sciences and innovation ecosystem, developed over the past few years near the French border on behalf of Senn Resources AG, offers an attractive and highly interconnected home for companies and institutions ranging from startups to multinational corporations...

Anna Stärk
/
30. July 2024

Efficient, cost-effective and high-quality: our new-build project in Basel/Binningen

Efficient, cost-effective and high-quality: our new-build project in Basel/Binningen with prefabricated façade elements. What convinced us... We are currently working on the construction of a new apartment block (MFH) in Basel/Binningen, where we are in the middle of the shell construction and suggested a kind of modular system to the client, more precisely the use of prefabricated façade elements. We decided to work with ERNE AG Holzbau, which specialises in prefabricated façade systems. Together, we developed a combination of reinforced concrete ceilings with steel columns and non-load-bearing façade elements for our project. The following advantages drove us to pursue this concept: A key benefit is the time factor: prefabricated façade elements are manufactured in the factory and can then be assembled on site, which significantly reduces the overall construction time. In addition, you are less dependent on favourable weather conditions, as it is more difficult to work in hail, snow or 35 degrees than under weather-independent conditions in the production hall, where the right tools, materials and expertise are always immediately available.

Christian W. Blaser
/
04. December 2023

Statement on sustainability

Anna Stärk
/
21. March 2025

Industry Night Basel 2025: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Construction and Planning Industry

On May 9, 2025, the Industry Night Regio Basel will take place – a unique event where companies open their doors. Blaser Architekten has taken the initiative and brought together seven companies from the region to provide a joint insight into the diverse aspects of construction projects.

Anna Stärk
/
04. November 2024

Workplace Creation at Primeo AG

Workplace Creation at Primeo AG through pioneering building technology with antique building material... Founded over 125 years ago, the Primeo Energie cooperative is headquartered in Münchenstein and reliably supplies over 180,000 households in Switzerland and France with energy. Under the motto ‘We bundle energy’, the infrastructure company focuses on the decarbonisation of the energy supply and offers intelligent, unique solutions in the areas of smart homes, sustainable mobility and energy efficiency. These are aimed at private and business customers as well as energy supply companies, cities and municipalities.

Anna Stärk
/
09. December 2024

Analog Despite Digital: The Significance of Architectural Model Making in a Digital World

A large part of our work today is digital and virtual—we design with CAD, enhance plans with BIM data, and visualize projects in 3D. Still, sometimes the tried and true methods prove their worth. Take model making, for example, which continues to play a significant role in architecture. Surprisingly, this might seem counterintuitive given the indispensable tools like 3D renderings and simulations, making physical model making appear almost outdated. However, as in life, the magic often lies in the mix: combining digital and analog methods unlocks unique potential. Why Analog When Everything Is Digital?

What’s a Rich Text element?

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

  • Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
  • Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
  • Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
  • Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
  • Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

  1. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
  2. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
  3. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
  4. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
  5. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
  6. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
  7. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
  8. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
  9. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
  10. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
  11. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Image Caption. Lorem Ipsum dolor sit amet

Static and dynamic content editing

A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!

Image Caption. Lorem Ipsum dolor sit amet

How to customize formatting for each rich text

Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.

Image Caption
Heading H5

Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.

What’s a Rich Text element?

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat

“Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam.” <span class="author">John Doe, Oceanic Airlines</span>

non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Image Caption

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

What’s a Rich Text element?

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Image Caption

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

What’s a Rich Text element?

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Bevor wir Ihnen YouTube-Videos zeigen können, müssen wir Sie darüber informieren, dass beim Laden der Videos möglicherweise Daten an den Anbieter übermittelt werden. Mit dem Klick auf den Play Button akzeptieren Sie die Erhebung und Verarbeitung dieser Daten gemäß unserer Datenschutzerklärung.

Bevor wir Ihnen Vimeo-Videos zeigen können, müssen wir Sie darüber informieren, dass beim Laden der Videos möglicherweise Daten an den Anbieter übermittelt werden. Mit dem Klick auf den Play Button akzeptieren Sie die Erhebung und Verarbeitung dieser Daten gemäß unserer Datenschutzerklärung.

Bevor wir Ihnen YouTube-Videos zeigen können, müssen wir Sie darüber informieren, dass beim Laden der Videos möglicherweise Daten an den Anbieter übermittelt werden. Mit dem Klick auf den Play Button akzeptieren Sie die Erhebung und Verarbeitung dieser Daten gemäß unserer Datenschutzerklärung.

Bevor wir Ihnen Vimeo-Videos zeigen können, müssen wir Sie darüber informieren, dass beim Laden der Videos möglicherweise Daten an den Anbieter übermittelt werden. Mit dem Klick auf den Play Button akzeptieren Sie die Erhebung und Verarbeitung dieser Daten gemäß unserer Datenschutzerklärung.

Bevor wir Ihnen YouTube-Videos zeigen können, müssen wir Sie darüber informieren, dass beim Laden der Videos möglicherweise Daten an den Anbieter übermittelt werden. Mit dem Klick auf den Play Button akzeptieren Sie die Erhebung und Verarbeitung dieser Daten gemäß unserer Datenschutzerklärung.

Bevor wir Ihnen Vimeo-Videos zeigen können, müssen wir Sie darüber informieren, dass beim Laden der Videos möglicherweise Daten an den Anbieter übermittelt werden. Mit dem Klick auf den Play Button akzeptieren Sie die Erhebung und Verarbeitung dieser Daten gemäß unserer Datenschutzerklärung.