Project

The Well-Tempered House

- Regensdorf, Switzerland

A transformative approach to converting office buildings into residential spaces, emphasizing cost-effective solutions and seasonal adaptability.

Room interior with cylindrical structures and curtains.

Interior view of a room with cylindrical structures and curtains.

Story

The Well-Tempered House

Transforming Office Spaces into Seasonal Residential Experiences In Regensdorf, a visionary project challenges the conventional approach to office-to-residential conversions. The Well-Tempered House, designed by EMI Architekt*innen, reimagines the potential of existing office buildings by forgoing costly facade renovations in favor of an innovative, emission-free heating system. This approach questions the traditional concept of a uniformly heated interior. The design introduces thermally activated apparatuses made of steel and clay, which effectively zone the interior space. These elements, combined with aluminum-coated curtains, allow for precise regulation of heat, creating a dynamic temperature landscape. This system enables the interior to adapt to seasonal changes, embedding a natural rhythm into the living experience.

Design Highlights

Preservation of the existing building envelope to minimize costs. Implementation of an emission-free heating system. Use of thermally activated steel and clay apparatuses for zoning. Aluminum-coated curtains for heat regulation. Creation of a temperature landscape with varied warm and cool zones. Seasonal adaptability enhancing the residential experience.

Key Facts

Detail Description
Location Regensdorf, Switzerland
Architect EMI Architekt*innen
Collaborators Ron Edelaar, Elli Mosayebi, Christian Inderbitzin
Client Anlagestiftung Turidomus, Pensimo Management AG
Consultants Prof. Dr. Arno Schlüter, ETH Zurich

Technical summary

Updated 4/7/2026

Finishes

  • Curtains: Aluminum-coated curtains used for heat regulation.

Materials

  • Steel — Thermally activated apparatuses for zoning the living hall.
  • Clay — Used in thermally activated apparatuses for zoning.
  • Aluminum — Coating for curtains to regulate heat.
  • Metal — Used in various interior elements like pipes and kitchen units.
  • Terracotta — Used in cylindrical structures.

Construction / Systems

  • Heating: Emission-free heating system with temperature zones.

Products

  • Not specified

Palette / Lighting

  • Colors: red, white, orange, terracotta
  • Lighting: Natural light with large windows and aluminum-coated curtains.

Images

Room interior with cylindrical structures and curtains.
Room with red floor, white curtains, and ceiling pipes.
Room interior with terracotta cylindrical structures and aluminum curtains.
Interior view of a room with red flooring, cylindrical structures, and striped curtains.
Interior with cylindrical structures and exposed ceiling pipes.
Bathroom interior with metallic walls and fixtures, including a sink and mirror, with a shower curtain partially visible.
Interior with orange cylindrical structures, mirror, sink, and metallic pipes on the ceiling, with silver curtains.
Modern interior with metallic kitchen unit and aluminum curtains.
Minimalist kitchen interior with metal sink, faucet, shelving, and a metallic curtain.
Interior with exposed ductwork, blue kitchen counter, and door labeled C14 leading to a room with a metallic structure.
Minimalist interior with red flooring, wooden stool, aluminum curtains, and large window.
Interior view of a modern space with red flooring, white walls, and exposed ceiling ductwork, featuring a wooden table and stools.
A worker applying plaster or clay to a cylindrical structure in an indoor construction area.
Construction site interior with cylindrical structures and visible piping.
Interior construction area with cylindrical metal structures and overhead piping.
Interior construction site with metallic shelving and cylindrical column.
Urban plan with black building shapes and one highlighted in red.
Architectural floor plan with highlighted zones in red and green.
Floor plan of a building showing room layouts and corridors.
Architectural floor plan showing a U-shaped building layout with various rooms and corridors.

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