Modern building with glass and brick facade, large windows, flat roof, surrounded by trees and grass.

A modern building with a combination of glass and brick elements, featuring large windows and a flat roof. The structure is surrounded by a natural landscape with trees and grass.

A modern residential building with large glass windows and brick elements, featuring multiple balconies and a visible staircase. The foreground includes a grassy area with a bird.
A modern building with a facade made of recycled brick and clay walls, surrounded by a grassy landscape with trees. The structure features a combination of solid and transparent elements, with visible steel windows and a pergola.
A series of modern residential buildings with brick facades are set amidst a lush, green meadow with trees and a pathway. The buildings feature balconies and large windows, and a bird can be seen in the foreground.
A view of modern residential buildings with brick facades, surrounded by greenery and trees. The buildings feature large windows and balconies, with a pathway running through the grassy area in front.
Interior view of a spacious room with large windows, showcasing cylindrical columns made of rammed earth. The room contains a simple wooden bench with a bottle and glass of wine on it, and children's toys including a small bicycle and a stuffed toy on the floor. The windows offer a view of the outside landscape with trees and buildings.
A minimalist interior space featuring a dining area with a table and chairs near a large window overlooking greenery. The room has exposed wooden beams, a simple shelving unit, and potted plants on a countertop.
Aerial view of a site plan illustrating a residential development surrounded by forest and meadows.
A detailed architectural elevation drawing of a long residential building with repetitive window patterns and vertical structural elements.
A black and white architectural elevation drawing of a building with a sloped base.
Architectural site plan showing the layout of residential buildings and surrounding landscape.
A floor plan of a residential building showing multiple apartments arranged in a linear fashion, each with distinct rooms and staircases.
Architectural floor plan showing a series of connected residential units with central staircases and symmetrical layouts.

Story

A revitalized landscape in Dättnau, Winterthur, where architecture and nature coexist, reflecting a legacy of industrial history and sustainable innovation. The Ziegelei Areal project in Dättnau, Winterthur, is a testament to the harmonious integration of architecture with its natural surroundings. Situated on the site of a former brickyard, the development respects the historical and ecological context of the area. The buildings are strategically positioned along the site's edge, parallel to a stream and the forest border, allowing a central meadow to flourish unimpeded. The project comprises two elongated residential blocks, a pavilion, and a series of outdoor spaces that create a seamless transition from common land to garden living, meadows, and forest. The residential buildings, each 80 meters long, serve as the gateway to the development, with dual-aspect apartments offering diverse landscape views. The architecture employs materials such as clay walls, recycled bricks, and steel windows, evoking a post-industrial aesthetic that connects past and future landscapes. The pavilion acts as a community hub, featuring monolithic rammed-earth elements combined with a hybrid steel and timber structure. This innovative approach commitment to ecological sustainability, utilizing materials like trass lime and recycled concrete to minimize environmental impact.

## Design Highlights

Integration of architecture with the natural landscape, allowing a meadow to spread freely. Use of sustainable materials such as rammed earth, recycled bricks, and CO₂-enriched concrete. Dual-aspect apartments providing varied landscape views. Pavilion with a hybrid structure and monolithic rammed-earth elements. Ecological innovation in construction methods and material selection.

## Key Facts

Detail Description
Location Dättnau, Winterthur, Switzerland
Architect Boltshauser Architekten
Year 2023
Status Built
Programs Residential, Community
Key Materials Rammed Earth, Recycled Brick, Steel

Technical Summary

Finishes

  • Facade: The facades feature clay walls, recycled brick, and steel windows, providing a post-industrial and earthbound aesthetic.
  • Interior: Rammed earth columns and walls are used, providing a natural and minimalistic interior finish.

Materials

  • Rammed Earth — Used for structural elements and facades, providing sustainability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Recycled Brick — Used in facades and as a structural material, contributing to sustainability.
  • Steel — Used in windows and structural elements, providing a modern contrast to natural materials.

Construction / Systems

  • Monolithic Construction: Rammed earth elements are used monolithically for structural walls and facades, reducing environmental impact.
  • Cavity Wall Construction: Used in the garden living apartments, incorporating recycled materials to reduce emissions.

Products

  • Building Material — Rammed Earth Elements — by Keller Enterprises (Structural and facade elements)

Palette / Lighting

  • Colors: earth tones, natural brick, steel gray
  • Lighting: Natural lighting emphasized through large windows and open spaces.

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