037 Alles bleibt anders

Rapperswil

2023

Rebecca Buus
Noah Curinga
Aimée Michelfelder
und Jurek Brüggen

The requirements of a home evolve significantly over time. Family dynamics shift as children are born or move out, couples separate or come together, and elderly relatives may pass away or require care. At the same time, societal norms around living arrangements oscillate between private, individualistic models and more communal ways of life.

This design aims to embrace such flexibility, enabling homes to adapt to these changes. This adaptability is not only ecological but also socially and economically beneficial. In Switzerland, the average living space per person is 46.5 m² (2022, source: FSO - BFS – Gebäude- und Wohnungsstatistik). By reorganizing living spaces to suit changing needs, and reducing individual space where possible, this concept minimizes land, resource, and energy use, directly contributing to climate crisis mitigation.

Option Rooms
Each of the outer flats includes two flexible rooms separated from the main living area by an openable glass wall. These walls allow natural light to enter the hallway, which features a kitchen and dining area. Depending on the needs of the residents, these rooms can serve as living spaces, extensions of the hallway, or private areas such as bedrooms or studies. A curtain can be drawn for additional privacy.

Schaltzimmer
Central to the design are switch rooms located between neighboring flats. These rooms can be allocated to either of the adjoining flats, offering unparalleled flexibility. Each main floor includes five switch rooms, with one additional room on the top floor, for a total of 11 adaptable spaces. This modular approach allows the living arrangements to evolve dynamically with residents' changing needs.

Flexible Sapces
The building includes three joker rooms or studios on each main floor. These versatile spaces can function as independent units or be added to an adjacent flat as extra rooms. Kitchens in these units are concealed behind folding walls, allowing them to transform seamlessly based on usage.

Wohndiele
The communal hallways are designed to extend the private flats into shared spaces. Double doors open out from each flat into the corridor, which is furnished with a long bench. This design encourages social interaction and fosters a sense of community among residents while offering a flexible solution for expanding individual living spaces when needed.

By enabling flexible living arrangements, the design reduces the ecological footprint of housing while offering residents a cost-effective way to adapt their spaces. This approach redefines living standards, balancing individual needs with communal values, and sets an example of sustainable, adaptable housing for the future.

in collaboration with ammi