Uster and Fällanden – Hofmann und Haerle Hubacher

Following the publication of previous articleWe present new examples of the application of Balance Concept developed by the Swiss architects Hofmann und Haerle Hubacher. These two examples were built in Switzerland in the towns of Uster, in 2000-2001 and in 2002-2003 Fällanden, tested various possibilities of termination of the balconies and therefore perimeter of the facades. The floor of the buildings is almost the same, with slight variations of core services in the proposed Fällanden.

Despite all the urban planning and environmental objections, the suburban family home is still the dream of many families. The concept of housing development “Balance”, which was built in three locations, strives to create sustainable and attractive alternatives.

Uster, just eleven minutes from Zurich by train commuter, thirty-four “houses” efficient resources are concentrated in seven multi-storey blocks specific. Individual floors – are sold as fine structural shells comprising about 190 m² interior and 100 m² of outdoor space – join the qualities of a house, including a perimeter gallery, with advantages such as minimizing costs and flexibility typological.

Distribution is limited to two access points from the outside staircase, a core of facilities and a separate layer of cabinets containing the ventilation system to the system “Minergie” of geothermal heat collectors and heat exchangers, which, however, need to supplement with electric heating. With minimal effort, you can make variations to housing, from a loft to house 8 rooms. This produces social diversity – young families with older people, who can sublet, or an office in the roof.