Bahnhofstrasse is the site of the most dramatic changes in Zurich. 19th century urbanisation saw it turn Zurich from a town on the river to a city on the lake.The end of shopping has been approaching slowly but surely since we became digital, until Covid dealt it a final blow. Manor is gone. The others will follow. But what will happen to Bahnhofstrasse?

Everything is transformation. The world we live in is being increasingly densified, not only in terms of what is built but also of ecosystems, social interactions, economic interests, political relations. In this context, we must look seriously at the existing: What qualities are there? What is really obsolete? What can we enhance? How to start with what is already there.

In the autumn semester, we will approach the phenomenon of space through fundamental experiences with regenerative materials and «Nordic Light» to design a cultural centre on Louis Kahn's home island of Saaremaa in Estonia.In the spring semester, we work on the redensification of an industrial wasteland in Brunnen (CH) and focus on the themes of structure and place

Focusing on the theme of Shelter, the semester begins with a field trip to Rome, where we will visit and study selected historical examples. Through this analysis we will develop a typological understanding of architecture, addressing questions of space, structure and tectonics. The second half of the semester will be dedicated to the design of an ideal shelter located in the Roman countryside.

Initiated and accompanied by the City of Zurich, we are working with them to ask what the future of the Geroldareal can look like. Which structures can further exploit existing potential and strengthen the identity of the site?

We design residential buildings in the urban context of the city of Zurich. From a selection of construction sites, you determine the best suited for your project and develop a specific form of living right down to the materialization in detail. Inspirational buildings, whose architectural elements and spatial situations are the inspiration for your living ideas, serve as the starting point.

We design residential buildings in the urban context of the city of Zurich. From a selection of construction sites, you determine the best suited for your project and develop a specific form of living right down to the materialization in detail. Inspirational buildings, whose architectural elements and spatial situations are the inspiration for your living ideas, serve as the starting point.

In semester HS / IV, we'll continue the exercise started last semester. The generic houses that were studied in the first movement of last semester will offer the building materials for a new and collective project. An individual satellite will be projected in the public realm.

We shall design an arena, a public building for performing and watching sport. With origins as landscape structures in ancient times, arenas are typically defined by ground; dug in, cut and sculpted earth and stone. Then they rose out of the ground as pure-structure never fully enclosed.

We now want to use the experience gained in the autumn semester through the revitalisation of the village centres in dealing with the rich Engadine building culture to take on the fallows that has arisen as a result of the structural changes away from the historic centres.New forms of use and further building carry larger structures, such as formerly magnificent hotel buildings, into the future.

Do we live a house?Or do we house a life?How. Do. We. Live. TOGETHER

Do we live a houseOr do we house a life?How. Do. We. Live. Together.Do we know HOW we live TOGETHER? Do we know enough HOW we live TOGETHER? HOW do things around us shape the way we live TOGETHER? HOW do we live with the things around us? WHAT are the conditions around us? WHAT makes our habits? HOW do habits change conditions? How do we live TOGETHER?

HOW DO WE LIVEDo we live a houseOr do we house a life?How. Do. We. Live.

Do we live a houseOr do we house a life?How. Do. We. Live.Do we know HOW we live TOGETHER? Do we know enough HOW we live TOGETHER? HOW do things around us shape the way we live TOGETHER? HOW do we live with the things around us? WHAT are the conditions around us? WHAT makes our habits? HOW do habits change conditions? How do we live TOGETHER? This studio will be organized in 3 MOVEMENTS.

In the middle of the "Neue Hard" area in Zurich sits the office complex built in 1972, which first served the travel group KUONI as its main location and today provides workspace for the ZKB. Often renovated and extended in recent years, the large structure now calls for climate-friendly visions so that the building stock can meet future demands and become part of a livable urban neighborhood.

We are focusing on the disused cement factory in Brunnen. The centrality of the area and the numerous unused existing buildings offer the opportunity to integrate public uses and contemporary forms of housing into a condensed overall urban vision. Circular materials and hybrid construction principles will be used to extend the lifespan of the robust existing buildings.

Everything is transformation. The world we live in is being increasingly densified, not only in terms of what is built but also of ecosystems, social interactions, economic interests, political relations. In this context, we must look seriously at the existing: What qualities are there? What is really obsolete? What can we enhance? How to start with what is already there?

Through the method of public drawing, students learn to observe, analyze, and evaluate a public space. Further, students conceptualize, plan and construct a furniture scale intervention to improve the usability and potential for interaction within the given public space. Research-based design, in the framework of architectural behaviorology is a guiding design principle of the course.

Through the method of public drawing, students learn to observe, analyze, and evaluate a public space. Further, students conceptualize, plan and construct a furniture scale intervention to improve the usability and potential for interaction within the given public space. Research-based design, in the framework of architectural behaviorology is a guiding design principle of the course.

Through the method of public drawing, students learn to observe, analyze, and improve a public Further, students propose and build a furniture scale intervention to improve the usability and potential for interaction on the given public space. Research based design, in accordance with architectural behaviorology is a guiding design principle of the course.