Ductus coats blocky apartment complex with red plaster in Switzerland
CategoriesInterior Design

Ductus coats blocky apartment complex with red plaster in Switzerland

Architecture studio Ductus has designed an apartment complex coated with a monochrome red plaster facade into a sloping site in Schwarzenburg, Switzerland.

Located on the outskirts of the village of Schwarzenburg in eastern Switzerland, the complex was designed by Ductus to have the appearance of a series of intersecting blocks of various heights that protrude and recede throughout the design.

Ductus design apartment complex in SwitzerlandDuctus design apartment complex in Switzerland
The red plaster-covered block was has a blocky appearance

Accommodating 16 apartments, the complex comprises two buildings sat perpendicular to one another that are connected by a shared garden.

Balconies constructed from pressure-impregnated white fir and green columns contrast with the red plaster facade and overlook the garden and neighbouring buildings.

Apartment complex coated in red plaster by DuctusApartment complex coated in red plaster by Ductus
Adjoining balconies are constructed from pressure-impregnated white fir, which contrast with the red facade

Flat roofs lined with untreated copper top the apartment complex, which distinguishing it from the surrounding more traditional pitched-roof buildings.

On the exterior, untreated copper was also used for downpipes, while red-toned window frames and mechanical shutters match the plaster’s colour.

Within the apartments, textured white walls were set off by wooden flooring, while stylish bathrooms were characterised by red-toned fittings and decorative tiles to match the facade.

Bright living spaces are lit by floor-to-ceiling doors that also provide access to the adjacent balconies.

Apartment interior in Schwarzenburg, SwitzerlandApartment interior in Schwarzenburg, Switzerland
The complex contains 16 apartments split across two buildings

“All 17 apartments were designed as condominiums,” Ductus partner Marcel Hauert told Dezeen.

“The client’s desire was for all buyers to determine the interior finishes themselves. We provided a basic concept that could be adapted virtually without restrictions.”

Interior view of Swiss apartment complexInterior view of Swiss apartment complex
Red-toned fittings and tiles feature in the bathroom

Ductus is an architecture studio operating between Sweden and Switzerland.

Elsewhere in Switzerland, BE Architektur recently used intersecting sculptural blocks to form a barn-like house and Enrico Sassi has transformed a wood store into a micro home.

The photography is by Rasmus Norlander.

Reference

monolithic concrete volume houses sports hall in switzerland
CategoriesArchitecture

monolithic concrete volume houses sports hall in switzerland

COMAMALA ISMAIL takes over the design of Sports hall in Vernayaz

 

Vernayaz commune in Switzerland initiated the construction of a new sports hall dedicated to school sports activities through an open architectural competition. Awarded in spring 2015, the planning by Comamala Ismail commenced, incorporating additional spaces for FC Vernayaz. By August 2017, construction began, concluding in spring 2020. The architectural approach focused on placing the sports hall on the east side of the Swiss Federal Railway line within the sports area. The building’s design prioritized practicality and simplicity, developing non-standard solutions to address community needs while maintaining elementary yet diverse spatial qualities.

monolithic concrete volume houses sports hall in vernayaz of switzerland
all images courtesy of Comamala Ismail

 

 

stone and concrete interact with the neighboring mountains

 

The project by Comamala Ismail centered on two vital aspects: reinforcing the connection between public spaces on either side of the rail tracks and establishing a dialogue with the neighboring mountainous character. The sports hall, strategically positioned at the main entrance to Valais, serves as both the head of the sports complex and a connecting element to the village center, creating a new public space for sports activities.

 

Materials employed in the project engage with the distinctive mountain environment, establishing a dialogue with the stone and nature of the mountains. The monolithic concrete volume, featuring a single opening per facade, is complemented by warm wooden cladding on the interior, contributing to a balanced and comprehensive architectural perception that prioritizes light and acoustic comfort. Synthetic building materials were minimized in favor of emphasizing the inherent characteristics of raw materials.

monolithic concrete volume houses sports hall in vernayaz of switzerland
Comamala Ismail’s project emphasizes practicality while maintaining diverse spatial qualities

monolithic concrete volume houses sports hall in vernayaz of switzerland
initiated by Vernayaz commune, the sports hall project was designed through an architectural competition

monolithic concrete volume houses sports hall in vernayaz of switzerland
two key aspects include reinforcing connections across rail tracks and engaging with the mountainous environment

monolithic concrete volume houses sports hall in vernayaz of switzerland
the sports hall acts as a head of the sports complex and connects to the village center

monolithic concrete volume houses sports hall in vernayaz of switzerland
the monolithic concrete volume features a single opening per facade

monolithic concrete volume houses sports hall in vernayaz of switzerland
the design establishes a new public space for sports activities while engaging with the mountain environment

Reference