Brandenberger Kloter Architekten

Description

The residential building is located in the Gellert district of Basel. It was constructed on the site of a former garage at the end of a U-shaped perimeter block, with apartments facing in three directions. The façades gain spatial depth through plastered solid brickwork, featuring regularly arranged windows and deep reveals. In the spirit of Adolf Loos’s Raumplan concept, the differently proportioned rooms on the ground and upper floors are organised around a central concrete core. Workshop, entrance area, dining space, kitchen, living room, office and communal room form a layered spatial continuum that spans two levels. This complex spatial structure fosters diverse relationships between the interior and exterior. In contrast, the material palette is deliberately simple and understated: ceilings made of recycled concrete, lightly textured lime plaster on the walls, and terrazzo flooring. In the interest of both social and cultural sustainability, the building is organised for multifunctional use. It is designed to support various stages of life, allowing residents to experience different phases within the same architectural framework. Heating and partial cooling are provided by a ground-source heat pump. Thermal energy is distributed via TABS (thermally activated building systems) integrated into the recycled concrete ceilings. The majority of the building’s energy demand is covered by a photovoltaic system. The volume is compact and nearly cubic.