Oberwaid Health Resort

Perfectly shaped Swiss healing tradition

Oberwaid Health Resort in St Gallen looks back on a long history. As early as in 1845, a Hydrotherapy Institute was established on the outskirts of the city, in a wonderful location overlooking Lake Constance, later to be complemented by a health resort on the adjacent plot of land. In 1931 the nuns of Baldegg Cloister acquired the property and ran it in Christian tradition as a health resort until November 2008. Heinrich and Gabi Thorbecke then purchased Oberwaid with the idea of renovating and extending it. As a study carried out by HRS showed that the old building structure was not up to standard for renovating, the clients decided to start afresh. A new high-standard health resort and medical centre were constructed under HRS’ project management. The shape of the new building resembles the rope cross, the sign of blessing used by Francis of Assisi, whose teachings were practised for many years here by the Baldegg Cloister nuns. Inspired by this background, the architect Carlos Martinez incorporated the rope cross into the topography in such a way that it welcomes visitors with a gesture of open arms.

Architecture - a structural challenge

Due to the diversity of its various uses, the most modern spa hotel in eastern Switzerland is in itself a very special building. The interests and personal commitment of the client, combined with a great deal of mutual trust in the overall contractor, HRS, were particularly important in this project. Due to its special architecture, each room has its own individual layout, which had to be planned separately. In addition, the whole building has no regular curves. The rope cross shape made high demands on everyone involved. Despite extensions and adjustments during the construction phase, the guarantee for deadlines, costs and quality was fulfilled.