Project

Rack . Lausanne

- Lausanne, Switzerland

RACK is an adaptive structure in Lausanne, designed for vertical and horizontal expansion, minimizing resource consumption through a unique foundation system.

Modern building exterior with spiral staircase, wooden elements, mesh railing, and greenery.

A modern building exterior featuring a spiral staircase, wooden elements, and a mesh railing on the upper level. The structure includes a shaded area with a chair and is surrounded by greenery.

Story

Rack . Lausanne

An adaptive and expandable architectural vision RACK in Lausanne, designed by Daniel Nitsche, presents an innovative approach to urban living with its adaptive and highly flexible building structure. The project is conceived to expand both vertically and horizontally, offering a sustainable model for future urban development. The structure’s foundation is soil-friendly, supporting a new way of living that aims to reduce daily resource consumption. The architectural concept of RACK is centered around an independent foundation system. Unlike traditional buildings where each wall has its own foundation, RACK employs a singular foundation per living unit, strategically located at the center of the structure. This allows for the entire building to be supported and provides the flexibility to add additional floors as the surrounding area evolves. The initial height of 16 meters can be extended to 26 meters and potentially 40 meters, accommodating the dynamic nature of urban growth. RACK optimizes the use of its plot, which measures 60 meters in length and six meters in width. Each living unit, including the necessary staircase units, is spaced every ten meters in an alternating pattern, maximizing spatial efficiency and adaptability.

Design Highlights

Adaptive structure allowing vertical and horizontal expansion Soil-friendly, resource-efficient foundation system Singular foundation per living unit for structural support Plot utilization of 60 meters by six meters Alternating pattern of living and staircase units every ten meters

Key Facts

Feature Detail
Location Lausanne, Switzerland
Architect Daniel Nitsche
Structure Type Adaptive, expandable
Initial Height 16 meters
Potential Height Up to 40 meters
Plot Dimensions 60m x 6m

Technical summary

Updated 3/7/2026

Finishes

  • exterior: Wooden elements and mesh railing
  • interior: Wooden elements

Materials

  • wood — Exterior and interior elements
  • metal — Mesh railing

Construction / Systems

  • structural: Single central foundation per living unit, allowing for vertical expansion

Products

  • Not specified

Palette / Lighting

  • Colors: yellow, green
  • Lighting: natural

Images

Modern building exterior with spiral staircase, wooden elements, mesh railing, and greenery.
Interior with wooden beams, a circular structure, and a yellow door with a round window.
Interior with green spiral staircase, yellow door, bicycle, and large windows.
Aerial view of a long, narrow building structure with circular openings and grid-like patterns.
Minimalist architectural model with stacked rectangular sections and a slanted roof element.
Top view of a minimalist architectural model with rectangular units and a central support.
Grayscale model of a modular building with stacked levels and cylindrical rooftop elements.
Diagram illustrating a building structure with three stages of vertical expansion, labeled with heights of 16, 26, and 40 meters, and arrows indicating upward growth.
Diagram of a building's vertical expansion from 8 meters to 16 meters with additional floors.
Architectural diagram with circular and square elements in a linear arrangement on a black background.
Section drawing of a multi-story building with a central foundation, showing interior spaces and structural elements.

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