Mother and Child Residence, Modernist residential facility in New City North, Bienne, Switzerland.
The Mother and Child Residence is a modernist residential facility in northern New City in Bienne that houses 24 units for single mothers and their children. The building integrates private family spaces with shared common areas and early childhood care facilities within one structure.
Architect Max Schlup designed and completed this building in 1970 during a period of social change in Switzerland. The project emerged when new questions about family, support systems, and communal living were being explored.
This residence shows how Swiss communities in the 1970s created shared housing models to support mothers raising children alone. Visitors can see how living spaces and common areas were designed to foster connection and mutual aid among residents.
The building is located near the Suze river and is accessible by public transportation. Keep in mind this is a residential community in active use, so access to private areas is not available to casual visitors.
The building demonstrates thoughtful design from the postwar period where child safety was built into the architecture itself. Parents can supervise their children through the spatial layout without needing restrictive barriers or constant surveillance measures.
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