The Lower Engadine is characterized, in addition to its favorable geographic location, by its particularly well preserved and quality building culture. We approach seven locations both analytically and in direct experience, with the aim of recognizing existing qualities, but also sustainable, future-oriented potentials in order to create urgently needed living space and lively village centers.

Lecture "Construction III":The overall topic of the lecture series is “Construction – Elements of Architecture”. The lecture series gives the students an insight into different construction and design methods. The lectures are held by four different professorships in a block of 5 lectures in a row and showcasing their individual approach on design and architecture in general.

Do we live a house?Or do we house a life?How. Do. We. Live.Do we know HOW we live? Do we know enough aboutHOW we live? HOW do things around us shape the way welive? HOW do we live the things around us? WHAT are theconditions around us? WHAT makes our habits? HOW dohabits change conditions?

Do we live a house?Or do we house a life?How. Do. We. Live.Do we know HOW we live? Do we know enough aboutHOW we live? HOW do things around us shape the way welive? HOW do we live the things around us? WHAT are theconditions around us? WHAT makes our habits? HOW dohabits change conditions?

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 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

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.

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.

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.

What will the home of tomorrow look like?Designing a project in four steps:1. Envisioning scenarios about the future of housing.2. Design of a spatial system to the scenario.3. Contextualize the abstract project within a selected site in Basel.4. Developing of the real project.

During this semester we will confront our interpretation of Ideal Architecture with the complexity of planning and designing for the contemporary society. Working with existing buildings and structures in the context of Swiss agglomeration, we will re-discover their latent potential and transforming it through critical and future-oriented design.

In the second semester we will confront our ideas of an Ideal Architecture with the complexity of a real project in Switzerland. Through visionary and speculative scenarios we ask ourselves what spaces are needed for learning and studying. Following a complementary methodology we will design buildings and infrastructures for the expanding University of Basel.

We as a society, but also specifically we as architects, must use land, resources and energy as sparingly as possible in the future. Therefore, the focus of the design is a holistic consideration of climate-conscious building: we are developing hybrid systems made of earth in combination with re-use building components.