Studio Professor: Reto Pedrocchi standing in for Christian Kerez

Studio Theme: sustainable housing for Switzerland

The focus of the project was to investigate what fundamental influence aspects of sustainability can have on a design. Established standard solutions were set aside to engage the question conceptually, specifically and experimentally, and as a result develop a corresponding architectural strategy. We were encouraged to consider ideas from the fields of environmental sciences, material science, civil engineering and sociology. The goal was to design a sustainable residential structure for a site in the Swiss Plateau. The number of occupants to be considered was assigned randomly. This proposal provides living space for 4 occupants.

The way this project approaches the idea of sustainability might be expressed by the phrase “spaciously compact”. Compact dwellings are sustainable. They use less material and are spatially efficient. Due to a low volume to surface area ratio, they are also more energy efficient in terms of thermal stability.

The resulting project is a compact two-story dwelling for four people, which is arranged so that the living area can be doubled when the weather is warm enough. The structure is composed of two halves, a closed/insulated half and an open/uninsulated half. The closed half is on the north and the open half is on the south. These halves are divided by glass doors, which open and allow for the expansion of living space.