Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, 25. January 2012
Projects for a sensible development of the Bellerive neighbourhood in Luzern, Switzerland
Daniel Tschuppert, Markus Elmiger
Guest critics: Oliver Lütjens und Thomas Padmanabhan

Project: Freilichtkörper Brief info: Residential buildings for senior citizens Location: Schenkon, Luzern, Switzerland Client: Municipality of Schenkon Realisation: Study Mandate 2006, 1. Prize 2010 – 2012

The site lies between two different building structures. On one side, the big heterogeneous buildings, on the other a rather homogeneous structure of small residential buildings. This variation of structures seems predestinated to create a different but strong character within the new development which can connect the different patterns of the neighborhood and develop a strong identity which is missing in the current situation.

The project determines three buildings along the access road which develop deeply into the site. The openness of the project communicates with the nearby buildings and creates inviting meeting points. The buildings are positioned such, that they will barely cast shadow onto the road and offer, therefore, a big potential of an attractive residential road as a meeting point. Additionally, the openness of the project offers the possibility for the nearby building developments to gain other orientation directions which is of an especially high value for the development to the south, as at the moment it is orientated to a noisy street.

As for older people the mobility issue is of vital importance, the project avoids any narrow corridors. The apartments are accessed through a wide entrance hall. From this central hall, which is open to the living room, a bedroom, the bathroom and a storage room are accessed.

A fine plaster finishing gives the project a familiar appearance. The plaster will be painted with two different colors using two different application techniques. This results in slight changes of the color on the surface, which creates a certain depth on the buildings and a unique character. Depending on the view and the sun, the buildings change their appearance.

In collaboration with Christoph Wey Landscape Architects, Luzern

Construction work in Buttisholz is progressing. First contours are visible.

Project: New school building Buttisholz Brief info: New class rooms, music hall and multi-purpose hall Location: Buttisholz, Luzern, Switzerland Client: Municipality of Buttisholz Realisation: Study Mandate 2002, 1. Prize 2010 – 2012

The project consists of a clear vision of the people flow in the interior with varied spatial moments and the lines of the facades, which follow a path independent of the interior context, creating different accents towards the village, to the schoolyard and to the existing campus. The vertical space, resulting from the positioning next to the existing school building, built in 1910, marks the new main entrance to the entire school complex. Wide stairs between these two buildings connect the path from the village to the schoolyard.

In collaboration with Mai Architects, Lucerne and Appert Zwahlen Landscape Architects, Cham

A Prototyp of the facade in a scale 1 to 1 shows how the project <residences for senior citizens> will look. The facade will be clad in profiled fibre cement sheets.

Elmiger Tschuppert Architects received the fourth price in a european open competition for their project of an expansion of a nursing home with department of dementia in Langenthal.

Elmiger Tschuppert architects wishes you happy festivities and all the best for the new year.

The transformation of a storage building into offices has been completed. Check out some images with a mouse click  <here>.

Elmiger Tschuppert Architects
When:  24.11.2011 um 18:30 Uhr
Location:  „Jazzkantine“, Grabenstrasse 8, 6004 Luzern
Public event organiszed by the BSA Federation of Swiss Architects

Daniel Tschuppert and Markus Elmiger become lecturers in the Department of Architecture at the Lucerne University of Applied Science and Art.

Project: Residences Mirador Brief info: Residential buildings in direct contact with the nature and attractive recreational opportunities in a suburban enviroment. 56 appartments for senior citizens, including medical practice. Location: Adliswil, Zürich Client: Foundation for senior citizens in Adliswil Realization: Competition 2007, First prize Completion 2009 – 2011

In this project we tried to antagonise the homogenous low density building structure of the agglomeration area near Zürich. To achieve this purpose we created a mass concentration, placing the buildings close together, thus generating a strong relation between them and creating unusual vertical spaces between the two buildings which are normally expected in an urban environment. The mass concentration together with the geometry crates a strong identity for the buildings. Furthermore the result of concentrating the masses was the creation of big free spaces, which is an important factor for the older residents, as with age the adjacent recreational areas gain importance.

The break in the sidewalk and the creation of a dense system of walkways leads the public space onto the building site, which we understand as an important part of the project because it is where the interaction amongst the habitants and the passers-by can take place. A curvy Gaudi inspired landscape element connects the special-care home with the long corridor underneath the new buildings.

The continuation of the paths and squares in the building originates from an urban thought. The social interaction was an important element throughout the whole design process. The apartment building in rue Franklin from Auguste Perret and many other apartment buildings in Paris from the same time period served as spatial and atmospheric references. Therefore the entrance hall, the stone floor, the letterboxes and the staircase originate from memories, but are defined in an independent way.

The at first sight fashionable expression of the building derives from the intended functions. The windows are placed on different heights to enable older residents, who are sometimes in bed for long periods of time, to maintain the connection to their surroundings and to watch what is happening in the street even though they are in a lower position. Every apartment has a unique character through the free placement of the windows.

The elevation is intended to create a strong identity. The cladding with conventional roof tiles reinforces the third dimension on the surface and therefore integrates the openings into the massive building body. With time the roof tiles will take on a natural patina, which will serve as ornamentation for the buildings.

As we never had a perfect shape or form in mind, we took the freedom to add one singular cantilevering balcony to one building. It was important for us to break the space between the buildings and therefore strengthen their relation. On the other hand we liked the emotions it generates. The balcony of Julia in Verona served as reference.

If a similar story will occur in the outskirts of Zürich, only time will tell.

Landscape architecture:
Appert Zwahlen, Cham

Structural engineers:
Walt & Galmarini, Zürich

Mechanical engineers:
Ernst Basler und Partner, Zürich

Project: Colourshift Brief info: Transformation of a storage building into offices Location: Kriens Client: Private Realisation: Direct commission 2010-2011

Transformation of a warehouse building into office spaces in Kriens.

Extension of the window areas and insertion of a second stair case in visible concrete, which creates a direct connection to the new office floors. A new spatial structure is created in the formerly used storage floors through the insertion of office and meeting rooms. The materials used become the dominant design element. The profilit glass with a special micro surface structure crosses the prefabricated concrete building and creates a big variety of transparency levels. The green glass is complemented with precisely detailed dark wooden doors.