Anouk has just completed her studies as a draftsman in architecture and received her federal diploma of vocational education and training. She will now support us in the planning process. We congratulate Anouk on her successful qualification and are excited to have her join our team.

During the renovation of the residential building in the old town of Brugg, we apply 50 mm of HAGA Biotherm to the exterior walls on the interior side. This breathable insulation plaster, based on silicate, improves the U-value of the old rubble stone wall from 1.7 W/m²K to 0.7 W/m²K, significantly enhancing the indoor climate without altering the protected façade.

We cover the separating timber stud walls with clay plasterboards and finish them with a clay plaster. HAGA clay products are free of fired binders and contribute to a pleasant living climate through their excellent moisture regulation.

When working with historic buildings, finding a clear route for drainage from a new attic bathroom down to the basement can be tricky. Often, it requires several shifts in direction to avoid running straight into a living room. We map out the best path through the timber frame in 3D using the point cloud of the digital twin. Thanks to this technology, we continue to push new boundaries and are proud of the progress we’ve made.

Every year, Advent reliably reminds us just how quickly time passes. Seven years have already flown by – marked by a wonderful team spirit and our shared passion for architecture. We look back with gratitude. And we’re excited for what’s to come: at the turn of the year, our colleague Gisella will become a new partner in the office.

Construction has begun on Riedmattstrasse in Zurich Wiedikon. The apartment building is getting a full makeover, with the attic set to become a bright new living space. To counter the low-pitched roof and modest knee wall, we’re opening things up with two generous dormers and a sunken terrace – creating room where there once was constraint.

The original tiles were long gone – and to be honest, we didn’t find them particularly beautiful. So, everything new? Not quite. It’s these small details that inspire us. How can we make more of what’s already there? We firmly believe that it’s in moments like these that the most exciting work is created. Interventions like this reflect our mission: carefully crafted, a bit playful, pleasantly surprising, and resource-conscious. (By the way, the trick here lies in the changing grout color.)

In architecture, there are topics that spark excitement – and then there are those that are a little less thrilling. Mold definitely falls into the latter category. However, for our work in existing buildings, understanding it is crucial. Mold and humans don’t get along. Mold needs more moisture than we do and prefers cooler conditions. In a way, it’s an indicator: a physically healthy building simply doesn’t provide an environment for mold to thrive. However, the path from treating symptoms to finding a lasting solution can be a challenging one.

Gisella Chacon deepened our knowledge on the subject through a seminar at TÜV Academy Rheinland and successfully passed the certification exam.

This question can be a real headache: Can we truly unlock the full densification potential through a renovation and extension, an attic conversion, or by adding additional floors — or does the old building stand in its own way? What threshold must be crossed for it to make economic and energy sense to sacrifice the existing structure?

Fascinating questions! Sometimes, the only way forward is to directly compare two concrete scenarios — as we recently did with a single-family house in Zurich-Albisrieden.

30.04.24

There were existing waste-water pipes to the right, left and hanging from the ceiling and we wanted to cover them up. In the space in between we created a 'bench', for sitting, tying shoe laces or for placing shopping bags. It is somewhat reminiscent of the old waiting rooms at the train station.