The Hotel Boldern is situated on a hill shoulder above Lake Zurich with a unique view of the Alps, embedded in the flowing greenery in the transition from the forest to the village.

The project continues this mood. Nine point buildings and a community room sit loosely distributed on the green slope. Compact, simply stepped, rather opaque volumes are complemented by transparent “plug-ins” that float slightly elevated above the landscape like large bay windows with balconies. These bay windows look out over the landscape to the lake between the trees, bushes and neighboring houses, allowing each apartment to benefit from its unique location. The outdoor space is not privatized but remains accessible and “wild” for all.

Two little roads provide access to all buildings and form small entrance areas with a neighborly quality of stay, with paths leading to the hotel and further into nature. The paved outdoor space is minimized, as is the footprint of the buildings.

Living in and with the landscape is the motto.

The subdivision into compact volumes with a minimal footprint and transparent, floating oriels becomes the design principle. The oriels windmill the apartments and differentiate the volumes, so that the superstructure appears diverse, although it is planned systematically, efficiently and modularly. The Case Study Houses in California were the inspiration, as was the Sängglen housing development in Fällanden.

The modular windmill principle creates a dialogue between the volumes and allows for differentiated and diverse outdoor spaces. While the closed volume offers intimacy and privacy, the bay windows focus on views of the landscape and plenty of light in the living area. Inside and outside intertwine. The result is the feeling of living in a single-family house.