Zihlschlacht Rehabilitation Clinic
Zihlschlacht Rehabilitation Clinic
Zihlschlacht, Switzerland
About the Project
The Zihlschlacht Rehabilitation Clinic, directed by Michèle Bongetta since 2015, is a prominent neurorehabilitation facility in Switzerland. Known for its high-end services, the clinic sought to expand its offerings to attract more international patients. The extension, named The Oasis and designed by Carlos Martinez, aims to blend the comfort and luxury of a hotel with the functionality of a rehabilitation clinic.
A wide range of stakeholders including the board of directors, medical personnel, hospital staff, and patients, collaborated in the design process to deliver a patient-focused healing environment.
Design Goals
The design incorporates comfortable rooms, spacious corridors, and public areas that exude elegance. Patient rooms are south-facing with spectacular views of Säntis Mountain, and are equipped with private outdoor spaces.
In key areas of the clinic’s corridors, the architect wished to incorporate artistic designs that reflected clinic’s focus on neurorehabilitation. The artwork had to span large wall areas and be integrated into a material that would be resistant to impact and easy to clean.
Acrovyn by Design® bespoke wall protection offered the perfect solution.
Solution
The Acrovyn by Design® panels are made with a PVC-free, transparent and impact-resistant material. As the imagery is printed on the back, the artwork remains undamaged even with frequent cleaning and high traffic.
The panels installed in the clinic’s corridors feature the design motifs of synapses. The images were derived from a brain scan and artistically reworked by Liliane Eberle to align with the clinic’s specialty and ethos.
Installed to full wall height and formed around the corners for a resilient, joint-free finish, Acrovyn by Design helped to create an interior environment that feels less clinical and more like a luxury hotel. This approach was intended to reduce patient stress and promote healing.
The Oasis project has been highly successful. Feedback from patients, staff, and the board of directors has been overwhelmingly positive. The new facility not only meets high aesthetic standards but also supports the clinic’s operational needs through its thoughtful design and strategic use of materials like Acrovyn by Design.
Patients appreciate the calming and elegant environment, which aids in their rest and recovery. Meanwhile, staff enjoy the spacious, well-designed workspaces, which have contributed to a low turnover rate. Overall, the extension serves as a model of how multidisciplinary collaboration and innovative materials can enhance the functionality and appeal of healthcare facilities.