VVZ API is not affiliated with ETH Zurich. Data might be outdated or incorrect. Please view the official ETHZ Vorlesungsverzeichnis for binding information.
Serendipity: Upper Waters
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:55:18
Abstract
An investigation into the water infrastructure of Zurich and it's impact on the contemporary urban landscape will be undertaken. Through acoustic and visual field recordings the students find a variety of ways to represent urban systems.
Objective
Through the use of multimedia tools, this course will reflect on the contemporary use and perception of landscape. Analogue photography and audio recordings will be represent the core body of the work.
Content
Attention: The final inscription will take place on the first course date, everybody is treated the same. After a long journey from its alpine sources, Zurich’s drinking water is stored in hidden chambers underground before it is ultimately directed to the user. Although being vital to everyday life, these very specifically designed and highly connected infrastructures remain mostly out of sight. The fresh-water reservoirs form a ring of single bodies located on the hilltops around the city’s center. A second lake of the city—decentralized, artificial, underground. Throughout the historic development of Zurich it’s water supply has been critical to its flourishing as a city. Drinking water could initially only be sourced from groundwater wells or local springs. Both of which still play a role in today’s water supply. But additionally and most importantly today is the sourcing of lake water. The latest opportunity gradually became possible due to a combination of better filtration systems and the cleaning of rivers and lakes in and around Zurich. Different infrastructure and nationwide fishery and water protection laws established around 1900 made this shift possible. Ever since the water quality is constantly monitored and improved especially in regards to agricultural chemicals. Since 1914 Zurich gains a large portion of its drinking water from the lake even if a plurality of water sources is maintained for the water system to be resilient towards possible threats and natural disaster. Notes: The course will be limited to 16 students. Participation on all dates of the course (Introduction, Workshop, Mid- and Final Presentations) is mandatory. The Chair will provide some financial support (costs for production), possible additional costs (transportation, overnight stay, food and drinks) are asked to be paid by the participants. Basic trekking experience and outdoor clothing is required.
Resources
Learning Materials (Links)
- Main link
- Information
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- BSC , MSC
- Frequency
- Semesterly recurring
Examination
- Type
- ungraded semester performance
Registration & Places
- Max Places
- 16
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise |
Serendipity: Upper Waters
Course language: English and German.
No course 25.3. (seminar week), on 8.4. (Easter Holiday) as well as on public holidays (s. room reservations).
Weekend workshop: Date will follow.
On 20.5.21, room tbd
|
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
-
-
-
-
Core Courses (The core courses build on the basic courses and convey basic, broad knowledge in the core areas of landscape architecture in relation to design lessons. Some of the core courses are compulsory and some are freely selectable. Further details, in particular about taking these subjects, for performance assessments and for compensating for failed subjects, are regulated in Art. 27 and Art. 31 Paragraph 4.)
-