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In this second edition, we spotlight the project on the Attisholz site. An example of how we apply our expertise in transformation, renovation, and architecture to develop sustainable, future-oriented solutions within given conditions.

Together with Tania and David Willen of Studio Willen, responsible for the visual language and photography, and the graphic design studio Vieceli & Cremers, we are continuously developing this agile communication format.

With this platform, we can share insights into current projects and our diverse range of services on a regular basis, in a concise and visually engaging way.

Photo: Studio Willen

A replacement building for the existing sports hall is being constructed on the Seefeld school site in Riesbach. The design responds to the growing educational needs by integrating additional sports facilities, spaces for supervision and teaching, and the requirements of the planned all-day school starting in 2026 into a coherent and functional whole.

In collaboration with Lüchinger Meyer structural engineers, the Abicht Group for building services, and Jodok Imhof Landscape Architects, new capacities for education, sports, and childcare are being created.

Although our proposal was not selected in the competition, we would like to share this project with you as part of our ongoing architectural exploration and design process.

The compact new building is set back from the street, creating a second public green space. Between the existing and new buildings, a protected play area is formed, primarily for kindergarten use. The three main functions are stacked in the western part of the building: above the two sports halls, the first-floor houses facilities for the all-day school. A covered terrace extends the outdoor space and connects the cafeteria, entrance zone and classrooms.

As part of a study, we had the opportunity to design a project for two replacement buildings comprising a total of 40 condominiums. The access and circulation were carefully adapted to the existing topography to ensure a harmonious integration into the surrounding context.

The project was developed in close collaboration with SKK Landschaftsarchitekten and Abicht Gruppe, who were responsible for the building services engineering.

Although our design was not selected in the final decision, we would like to share the project as part of our ongoing design process and architectural exploration.

The two new buildings replace existing houses within an established residential development. With their staggered volumetry, they respond to the scale and character of the neighboring buildings and the site. At the same time, they form a clear address for the forty new condominiums along Krummibuckweg. Both buildings share the same basic structure, while their access points are individually tailored to the immediate terrain. Their orientation and internal layout ensure optimal exposure to sunlight and natural shading. The apartments are organized into separate sleeping and living areas.

Externally, the buildings are characterized by carefully articulated timber façades, French windows, and textile sunshades — solid and functional, yet understated and elegant.

Client: Mobimo Management AG
Design phase: April to June 2025

This year’s office journey took us to the culturally and architecturally diverse city of Basel, where a fascinating blend of contemporary design and innovative urban development awaited us.

Our first stop was the Elyss Business and Cultural Center – a prime example of the creative repurposing of former industrial spaces. Today, the building brings together workspaces, workshops, and cultural initiatives under one roof – a vibrant place that fosters transformation and collaboration.

Next, we headed to the renowned Vitra Campus in Weil am Rhein to explore three remarkable architectural projects. The Umbrella House by Kazuo Shinohara – a minimalist home defined by its clarity and understated elegance, the Garden House by Tsuyoshi Tane – a small structure that poetically connects architecture and nature and the Khudi Bari by Marina Tabassum – a lightweight, modular house designed for regions affected by climate change. These buildings offered inspiring perspectives on how architecture can respond to pressing social and environmental challenges – with creativity, sustainability, and vision.

During the tour of the Office for the Environment and Energy in Basel, we gained insight into a contemporary office building that sets a benchmark in energy efficiency and ecological construction. The eight-storey building impresses with a comprehensive energy concept: insulated building envelope, box windows, photovoltaic façades, district heating, rainwater harvesting, heat recovery, and optimal use of daylight.

We wrapped up the day with a relaxed dinner at Wirtschaft Ziegelhütte in Zurich – the perfect setting to reflect on the day’s impressions and enjoy good food and great company.

Rütlihof marks the entrance to the new development area in Effretikon Ost. The U-shaped building, comprising 48 owner-occupied apartments, opens to the south and encloses a publicly accessible, landscaped courtyard. Ground-floor commercial spaces bring activity to the area, while additional office spaces are located in the north-western corner. The upper floors are dedicated to residential use.

The apartments feature an open circulation layout, are mostly dual-aspect, and include a loggia. Residential units are accessed via the courtyard; commercial units from the street. Architecturally, the base zone, pilasters, and cornices emphasize the urban character of the development.

Photo Studio Willen

For this inaugural edition, we have chosen to feature the project for the temporary school facilities on the Irchel campus. We focus on our expertise in the areas of conversion, overall management and color concept and show how we create added value with holistic thinking and creative solutions.

In collaboration with Tania and David Willen from Studio Willen, who are responsible for the creative implementation and visual language, and the graphics studio Vieceli & Cremes, we have developed a new, agile communication format.

With this new format, we are creating a platform that offers us more flexibility to report on current projects and our wide range of services at regular, shorter intervals - clearly, informatively and with a strong visual presence.

Photo Studio Willen

As part of the competition for the extension of the Burgerau school complex in Rapperswil-Jona, we developed and submitted an architectural proposal. Although our entry was not selected for further development, we would like to share the project as a reflection of our design approach and conceptual exploration.

 The composition of the school complex will only change slightly because of the new replacement building. The old building from 1914 houses the special rooms, while the new building contains all the classrooms. In the middle, on the first and second floors, there is a bright and spacious access area that serves as a lounge and meeting place. The school's most public uses are located on the first floor: a covered outdoor space leads to the entrance hall or directly to the auditorium, which also serves as an audience area for the gymnasium. This floor is transparent and allows various views - even through the glazed building envelope.

Located in the emerging Hochbord district of Dübendorf, the high-rise residential tower «Sky» marks the second signature building within the private development plan «Am Stadtrand». With the basement and ground floor already completed, the foundation has been laid: The tower will rise to a total of 20 storeys and reach a height of 60 metres – fully embodying the motto: «The sky is the limit.»

A new floor is planned to be completed every ten days – an ambitious timeline that reflects the momentum of the project. Construction progress can be followed in real time via a live webcam.

[Sky Live – WEBCAM, construction site residential tower].

The façade translates the concept of “weaving and interweaving” into an expressive material and formal language: smooth and corrugated fibre cement panels interlock rhythmically, framed by slender vertical metal profiles. The colour palette – dominated by shades of blue and grey – creates a deliberate visual link to the building’s name. Deep red external shutters provide a striking contrast and lend the façade a dynamic, almost living character that shifts with the sun.

The material and colour concept was developed in coordination with the Dübendorf City Design Commission (Stadtbildkommission). Both the material samples submitted with the building application and a full-scale 1:1 façade mock-up were approved on the first submission.

«Sky» represents a significant contribution to urban densification and architectural identity in the transforming context of Hochbord.

The history of the building on the lower Rennweg in Zurich dates to the 14th century, although its current form originates in 1876. Since 1905, it has been owned by the Honold family, who founded the traditional confectionery there. Over the decades, it has undergone numerous interventions, including a purification of the neo-Renaissance façade. As part of a comprehensive refurbishment, six rental apartments with 2 and 4 rooms as well as a maisonette flat extending over the two mansard floors have been created. The first floor will continue to house the confectionery with its café facing the boulevard.

The archive photo shows the former Conditorei F. Honold Herzog at Rennweg 53 in Zurich around 1910. The little boy is Fritz Honold (2nd generation), next to him his older sister Margrite together with the store and production staff.

The planning and execution of the interior design of the «Lingo Café» with 37 seats was successfully implemented in collaboration with the design and creative team of EF Education First. With the Lingo Café, the language school EF Education First, which is now based in the «Neue Börse», has a face to the public space. From Selnaustrasse you can see into the café, which is completely glazed and invites passers-by to take a short break. The granite, which significantly shapes the appearance of the building, can also be found on the floor of the access areas and flows through the café. Its backbone is formed by a blue-tiled bar counter and a wooden core. Strips of solid oak structure the closed body and turn it into an elegant, space-forming furniture. Opposite the café there is another room with the same geometry, which is available for seminars.

Built around 1900, this apartment house is located on a favored hillside in the Hirslanden district, close to nature. The elaborately crafted clinker brick façade with classic window surrounds and embossed sandstone plinth are typical features of turn-of-the-century Zurich brick architecture.

During careful overall refurbishment, the spacious flats were freed from the ballast of previous partial renovations and restored with the charm of an elegant old building and modern extension. Geophysical methods were used to investigate the complex ground structure in a non-destructive manner to ensure that the structural challenges were met.

Sustainable and local natural materials will be used to create a subtle atmosphere. The house will be equipped with modern building services that will offer future tenants a high level of comfort.

Caption: Witikonerstrasse 43, Building History Archive, Zurich, Office for Urban Planning, photographer Ruef-Hirt Friedrich, period of origin of the picture 1900-1909