To Dwell III is situated on the northern edge of the municipality of Bassersdorf, within the Zürich lowlands. The area is characterised by a juxtaposition of agricultural and wooded zones to the north, and more recent urban development to the south. This north-south gradient reflects a transition from loosely organised settlements bordered by orchards to a denser, more regular urban fabric. The building plot, located precisely at the threshold between these two contrasting typologies, retains a unique pre-parcelled character, evidenced by its diverse tree population, which harkens back to a time before modern development patterns became dominant.
This distinctive context is fundamental to the project's design approach, which seeks to preserve the site's existing natural quality. All trees within the plot will be retained, ensuring that nature not only plays a central role in the design but also becomes a determining factor in its architectural articulation. The decision to remove the existing structures is informed by the need to construct a new house that respects and integrates these site-specific conditions.
Like in the 'Plywood House' by Herzog & de Meuron, the design adopts a motif of folding along the longitudinal façades to adapt to the site's natural features, particularly its trees. A split-level volume is introduced to take full advantage of the site's topography, allowing for the creation of a generous yet compact building form. The split-level configuration also facilitates a spatial dialogue with the sloping terrain, embedding the house within its natural context.
The design emphasizes a continual relationship with the surrounding environment. In this regard, "fenêtres en longueur" (long horizontal windows, as advocated by Le Corbusier) are proposed on the east and west façades. These windows serve to dissolve the boundary between interior and exterior, fostering a seamless connection to the natural landscape. By contrast, the north and south façades function as visual 'masks,' featuring openings that frame specific views of the surrounding environment, similar to the careful curation of paintings in a museum. These controlled views capture distinct moments of the landscape, further reinforcing the project's engagement with its site.
The north and south façades, in their largely opaque treatment, also serve as a canvas for vertical vegetation. Supported by slender steel cables, this greenery is intended to evolve over time, recalling the impressionistic landscapes of Gustav Klimt, adding a dynamic layer of natural beauty to the building's architectural expression. In this way, the project seeks to create a harmonious interplay between architecture and nature, while also evoking a sense of temporal and seasonal transformation within its design.
2023
Location: Zürich, Switzerland
Programme: Housing
Surface: 1’015 m2
Competition: Last Round before Prize
Client: Kirchgemeinde Breite
With: MMMR Architekten Landscape: Ghiggi Paesaggi
Images: Studio Punkt