Despite (or thanks to) a very limited budget, the narrowness of the site and its isolated location, this residential building of 12 flats and a single-family house manages to offer high quality units in a sober and harmonious setting.
In collaboration with Andreas Leitgeb (L.BV Architektur)
Client: Feldmann Immobilien AG, Muri AG, Doreli + Partner AG
Programme: Private development housing complex. 12 flats and a single-family house
Surfaces: 1.516 m2. Outdoor areas: 2060.86 m2.
Budget: 4,2 M CHF
Mission: Design, project development, building permit application, and tender documentation
Team: A. Leitgeb, I. Beccar Varela, M. Serena
Engineering: QSI Aarau (structures), R. Arzethauser & Partner (installations), Grolimund + Partner (thermal)
The building is located on the eastern edge of a neighbourhood dominated by two-storey detached houses. The plot, accessible through an easement, marks both the municipal boundary and the border between the suburban fabric and non-constructible agricultural fields.
The functional programme includes 13 residential units in a mix of 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5 room flats, plus a duplex townhouse with individual access.
Given the low target budget, a compact construction without underground parking was favoured. A linear, three-storey building runs the length of the plot. A carport flanks it creating a counterpoint, organising parking, access to the hallways and creating private courtyards for the ground floor flats.
Two vertical circulation cores serve two flats per level and the basement cellars.
The main feature of the flats is their large crossing living-dining areas. This feature allows each of these spaces to benefit simultaneously from the south-western orientation (offering generous balconies), and the unobstructed views to the agricultural fields to the east. The penthouse units have an additional terrace space.
The single-family house is placed on the south side, thus benefiting from a dedicated access, excellent views and perfect sunlight conditions.
The simple and limited elements that constitute the composition of the whole are: a quality coating in two different textures, two types of windows with the same proportions, a similar layout for balconies, pergolas and carports.
The execution seeks a kind of austere elegance through evidence. The choice of each constructive detail is based on the accuracy of its expression and the economy of its means. Superfluous formal effects are avoided, favouring the implementation of a simple but graceful construction.
