Project:

Arcadia am Albis

Year:

2014

Client:

Halter AG / Immobilien

Location:

Obfelden, Switzerland

Program:

Housing

Area:

GFA 12'000 sqm

Commission:

Invited Competition

collaborators:

Müller Illien Landschaftsarchitekten

Landscape architect:

Müller Illien Landschaftsarchitekten, Zürich

Visualisation:

Rendertaxi, Aachen

Bodenackerstrasse Housing Development, Obfelden

Concept: Diverse Spaces – Scenic Density

The urban periphery is a space of wishes – to live in the greenness of the countryside and in manageable village structures  – and of necessities – space and accessibility at reasonable prices. Multiplied as the population grows, these wishes and necessities make the periphery into an agglomeration.

But how can it be insured that the agglomeration can still fairly balance these demands with the increasing pressure that comes with growth? Instead of urban sprawl, we should strive to achieve an enrichment of multifaceted, intimate spaces, an intensification of possible relationships, and a densification of scenic experiences.

A diverse, connected, densely scenic Arcadia!

Urban design: Clear Structures – Green Islands

A clear structure of alleyways will be enlarged through varied paths into green spaces. Plazas provide orientation, while public islands of trees achieve intimacy. Loosely arranged buildings with generous, private outdoor spaces stand between these like the islands of an archipelago. The settlement thus integrates itself into the texture of the surroundings and also naturally complements the existing multi-family homes.

Architecture: Individual Diversity – Readable Unity

The peculiarities of the local building codes allow for graded, starkly differentiated volumes with many recesses and large surfaces. The outer shell made of wood functions as a wall on the northern façade and as a balustrade around the balcony and terraces on the southern façade. It unifies the many private areas and draws clear building shapes. The inner facade of the balconies is made of façade panels ventilated from behind and is visually placed back through coloration. This circulating room level enlarges the apartments with private, diverse, useful exterior rooms. The room level continues on the ground level in the landscape. Freely formed exterior areas are meshed within the surrounding area. A landscaped transition area avoids the typical hedge structures.

Apartments and Users: Family Gardens – Pleasure Terraces

The apartments on the lower level are generally intended for families. Two additional levels with large apartments allow for a multiplicity of user groups and uses. The two top levels include living spaces for small families, seniors, or singles. The buildings are organized around two public areas, to which a visual reference always exists. The circles of tress offer spaces for children to play or seniors to chat. There is an additional ring in the east next to the parking lot. The entire site is daring and dense, yet it remains clearly arranged.

Energy: Efficient Energy Production – Slim Design

The required roof surfaces and sensor locations for the 2sol energy system are available. The system enables a slim design with a comparatively small thickness of insulation. The facades are generously glazed; to the south they are quite open, in the north somewhat more closed.

Projects

Architecture

Morgentalquartier, Wetzikon, 2020 –
Program: Housing
Current state: Phase 51 and 52, under construction

Haus Myrte, Wädenswil, 2022 –
Program: Transformation of historical building
Current state: Phases 51 and 52, under construction

Station Square and Roof, Herisau 2015 –
Program: Station square, station roof, bus roof
Current state: Phase 41, under construction (partially)

MEWA-Areal, Wädenswil, 2018 –
Program: Culture, Restaurant, Housing, Retail
Current state: Phase 31, preliminary design

Wilhelmsburg Rowing Clug, Wilhelmsburg (D), 2020 –
Program: Clubhouse, boat hall
Current state: Execution Pla

House A, Geneva, 2021 –
Program: Residential house
Current state: Renovation, ongoing

Primary School Christoph Merian, Basel, 2019 –
Program: School
Current state: ongoing

Herriberg-Feldmeilen station, 2020 –
Program: Retail, housing, bus yard
Current state: framework plan

Airport Engadin, St. Moritz, 2020 –
Current phase: construction project

Cooperative Housing, Wetzikon, 2020 –
Current phase: tender

Fabrik.sg, 2020 –
Current phase: Project phases design to operation

Boulevard, ETHZ Hönggerberg Campus, 2020 –
Program: Campus Boulevard redesign (with Studio Vulkan)
Current state: ongoing

Viererfeld, Bern, 2018 –
Program: Housing
Current state: on hold

Urban Design

Bahnhof Romanshorn, 2022 –
Current state: study (with Sudio Vulkan)

Kaserne Aarau, 2022 –
Current state: urban framework

Areale Wittenbach, 2022 –
Current state: urban design commission

Stiftungsareal Neumünster, 2022 –
Current state: study

Kieler Schloss, 2022 –
Current state: Public think tank on usage and architecture

Campus Heidelberg, 2021 –
Current state: Masterplan process, in-depth studies

Otterbach Süd, 2020 –
Current state: urban framework plan

Innovation Park Bergedorf, 2020 –
Current state: urban framework

Station Area Dietikon, 2019 –
Current state: urban framework plan

Campus Bochum, 2018 –
Current state: project support

Metalli, Zug, 2017 –
Current state: project support

Bahnstadt Nürtingen, 2017 –
Current state: project support

Areal Neugasse Zürich, 2016 –
Current state: completion of master plan, public consultation

Elbinselquartier Wilhelmsburg, Hamburg, 2015 –
Current state: project support

Tech Cluster Zug, 2015 –
Current state: transformation plan

Station Herisau, 2013 –
Current state: areal development

KNZ Wil West, Thurgau / St. Gallen, 2011 –
Current state: project support

Urban System Research

Metaverse, 2022 –
Current state: ongoing

Entwicklungskonzept Würzenbach, 2022 –
Current state: ongoing

ESP Hochdorf, 2021 –
Current state: spatial-urban as well as use- and circular-based development concept

Deep Urbanism, 2021 –
Current state: ongoing

cividi gmbh – civic data intelligence, 2019 –
Digital tools for the analogue city
Current state: ongoing

Contact

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