Assignment

The plot is located in Würenlos, a rural community close to the cities of Zurich and Baden with excellent connections to public transport and motorized individual transport. The elongated plot is slightly sloping towards the south.

As a direct commission, the architectural firm Plarea AG received the assignment to design two duplex houses in close cooperation with the landowner. The design, building permit application, sale, construction planning and construction management were all part of our duties.

Concept

The elongated plot and the south-facing orientation resulted in two identical structures, one behind the other, which are offset in height. By turning the south facade to the west and east, additional privacy is created and the orientation to the house in front is softened.

Incisions in the building volume reveal the entrance areas to the outside, providing a clear address to the street and offering sheltered access. The incisions to the south serve as covered terraces and can be seen as an extension of the living area thanks to the large openable windows. The living and dining areas, as well as the kitchen, are arranged around this terrace incision and are oriented away from the neighboring house, creating further privacy.

An exceptionally large window brings light into the interior of the building via the double-height living area.

The spacious entrance area is clearly separated from the living area. From there, a single-flight staircase leads to the second floor and the more intimate rooms. The gallery allows another view down into the living area and through the large window to the outside, before a further staircase leads to the master bedroom. An intermediate zone connects the various uses, such as the dressing room, bathroom and bedroom on the attic floor and allows access to the roof terrace without having to pass through the private rooms.

The basement provides access to the underground garage, where there is sufficient space for parking cars and bicycles.

The buildings will be constructed according to Minergie-P requirements. The Swiss label forms the basis for climate-friendly construction, while Minergie-P is a specification for the building envelope. Compared to the Minergie standard, the building envelope is even better insulated and subjected to an airtightness test. This ensures maximum energy efficiency and an optimal indoor climate. In addition, a photovoltaic system is installed on the roof, which powers the environmentally friendly brine-water heat pump.