Le Foyer

Lausanne, Switzerland

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Le Foyer

Lausanne, Switzerland

Firm

Ferrari Architectes

Type

Government + Health › Medical Facility

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2024

SIZE

100,000 sqft - 300,000 sqft

BUDGET

$50M - 100M

Located on the hills above Lausanne, the association Le Foyer has been welcoming children, adolescents, and adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), as well as individuals with intellectual and visual impairments, for over 125 years.
Winner of the SIA 142 architecture competition in 2012, the project aims to create a domestic, human-scale environment that breaks away from the institutional model while meeting the specific needs of its residents.

The project was carried out on an occupied site, requiring a phased approach to maintain daily activities throughout construction. Phase I involved the construction of two modern residential pavilions. These buildings, defined by broken lines and angles, are arranged around a central core that organizes circulation. This layout provides multiple orientations towards the surrounding park and allows for the creation of interior spaces that are both functional and welcoming. Each floor is conceived as a large shared apartment, with resident bedrooms, communal living areas, and an adapted kitchen, reducing any institutional feel.

Phase II introduces the main building along Route d'Oron, opening Le Foyer more directly to the city. It houses administration offices, workshops, a restaurant, a multipurpose hall, and specialized residential units for people with severe ASD. This new configuration creates an interactive outdoor circulation system, including elevated walkways that connect all buildings and ensure safe and fluid movement throughout the site.

Resident well-being lies at the heart of the design. Features such as threshold-free transitions, continuous handrails, and carefully considered safety zones were implemented to support visually impaired individuals and wheelchair users. Corridors are generously sized, and additional safety measures—like textured warning strips on stair treads and protective plates between staircases and guardrails—are integrated throughout. The visual needs of residents are also addressed through tailored signage, including floor numbers in varying sizes, to accommodate different types of visual impairments.
The project is the result of close collaboration with residents and the client, placing great importance on understanding their needs and how they perceive space. This collaborative process made it possible to design spaces that feel familiar and homelike. The objective was to dissolve the boundary between a medical institution and a home, creating an environment where each person can thrive and feel respected.

Le Foyer is not simply a set of functional buildings. It represents a collective commitment to inclusion, diversity, and accessibility. Through this project, Ferrari Architectes delivers thoughtful, human-centered architecture that allows residents to flourish within a respectful and sensitively integrated urban setting. It stands as a symbol of a future where architecture and inclusion go hand in hand.

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Le Foyer

Lausanne, Switzerland

Other Projects by Ferrari Architectes

bluefactory

Le Foyer

Lausanne, Switzerland

Product Spec Sheet

Collaborating Firms

Team