Saxon Rehabilitation Centre for the Blind and the Visually Impaired

Client:	SIB Chemnitz
Area:	2,2 ha
Budget:	0,2 Mio EUR
Architects:	BHSS Architekten
Planning:	in progress

Inaugurated in 1905, the “Königlich Sächsische Erziehungsanstalt für Blinde und Schwachsinnige” (Royal Saxon reformatory fort the Blind and the Imbecile) with it’s links to urban planning, architecture, landscape architecture and social history, marks an important developmental step in the planning for 20th century institutions. As an entity, the roughly 60ha property was put under monumental protection. Today the facility accommodates the “Sächsische Blindenschule” (Saxon School for the Blind) as well as further rehab facilities for blind children and young adults. Within the surroundings of the restored old buildings as well as the new school building, the design is focussing on the historically accurate rearrangement of the path system, of the school’s garden-, play- and open space areas as well as of the existing trees and shrubs. Special attention is given to the coordination of the demands of a modern school- and rehab facility for the blind and the demands of monument conservation.