Architectural Design V-IX: Scuol - The Potential of the Landscape (GD R.Boltshauser)

Abstract

After we developed strategies for the municipality of Scuol in the Lower Engadine in spring 2019, we are now deepening this knowledge with the help of current construction tasks and building sites. In doing so, we are focusing on the traditional building culture and the handling of the historical substance, but also the sustainability of the historical and new structures are of great importance.

Objective

• Dealing with dense, sustainable, simple building • Development of a broad theoretical and historical knowledge of a topic in order to transfer the resulting findings to the current context • Understanding of traditional building techniques and building materials • Holistic design of spatial atmospheres in the interplay of context, construction, climate, sustainability and materiality • Recognizing the potential of building materials with different technical properties in order to develop own ideas for new building systems and translate them into a design • Practical work on the model and in the visualization program as part of the design process

Content

In the spring semester of 2019, we dealt with the municipality of Scuol in the Lower Engadine for the first time and, in cooperation with the community as well as on the basis of public discussion forums, developed nine strategies for the future development of Scuol. In the coming semester we will now build on these findings and deepen them – this time on the basis of concrete construction tasks and on already defined building sites. The municipality of Scuol is currently in a state of upheaval and, after the merger in 2015, is working on a new zoning plan and uniform building laws. Our work at the ETH has already had an impact and we have been able to influence future strategies and in particular the zoning plans. We are continuing to work on this: the rural area as a rapidly and radically changing place is being studied, development strategies are being worked out for Scuol as a home for different generations, as a place of art, crafts and culture, and as a tourist destination. In addition, the future orientation of the new unified municipality of Scuol and the handling of tourism are also discussed. Not least because of the adoption of the second home initiative in 2012, the question of redensification or possible conversion of the existing buildings, most of which are worthy of protection, arises. Local qualities and the local building tradition should be taken into account. An appropriate and contemporary approach to the historical substance must be found, whether in the context of a conversion, conversion or extension of existing buildings or as densification of old village centres. The issue of sustainability is also of great importance. Important arguments for the Lower Engadine can be derived from a direct comparison with the Upper Engadine. The Upper Engadine has developed much faster than the Lower Engadine over the last hundred years, also for reasons of accessibility. The Lower Engadine and in particular the commune of Scuol could benefit from these developments.

Resources