Leveraging on our understanding of disassembly technics encountered during the Disassembly Workshop, we developed a constructive system that would provide the structural frame in which the rest of the building elements could be freely added, updated or retrofitted, with in mind the commitment develop a future-proof design. We minimized complex manufacturing and material transformation, aiming not only to un-build the structure in itself but also for 100% of the building components to be recycled or up-cycled at the end of their lifespan.

Based on Zurich «Housing Cooperative» tradition, the housing-unit is crowdfunded by the community directly, without a developer, ensuring a design process centered around the community needs rather than the market value.

A critical aspect of our proposal is the shared terraces linked to the main circulatory exterior corridor offered to every apartment, encouraging informal meetings. Following the inhabitants’ will, the complex also provides a Kinder Garden, a community workshop, a shared garden, laundry rooms and a small cafe. These facilities are planned to be run by local associations and offer flexibility to retrofit into another program in case their needs would change.

Collaborative work with Arnaud Andrier & Gaël Zuber

4th floor | Plan of the apartments and the shared circulation

Pen on paper | Isometric section through the building

Construction and de-construction process

© Olivier Faber 2021