Loft House Basel

During their studies, the architects purchased two adjacent, like-sized properties. They are planning a self-managed new building project, which makes redundant the necessary overall renovation of the existing structures. Prospective buyers enable realization of the project. The area around the property is characterized by very narrow perimeter block developments. Colmarerstrasse’s row of houses has the same width as the courtyard space of the block in which the properties are found.

The conversion of old factory buildings into loft apartments shapes the reference for the development of open, large apartments, which additionally have the advantages of newly built structures. Platforms of exactly the same size are mounted in the new gaps in the perimeter block development. An open, six-story, residential structure emerges between garden and city. The platforms are perforated by two centre-set development cores. The compact, internal core, offset from the ground plan axis, contains the stairway, wet rooms, as well as elevator that leads directly to the apartments. The second core is a development shaft for the kitchens, which can be oriented towards either the courtyard space or the street. Around the cores is the open space, which the circular movement forms allow to take full effect. Platform projections expand the perception of the vast longitudinal spaces and offer a panorama-like view. Each living level becomes a stage. Through the two-sided, large facade glazing, city and garden become equally important reference areas.

The structural realization is kept rudimentary. Just a few elements are added together in a comprehensible way, like in a building block system. Room heights of 2.7 metres, huge glass surfaces, fine surface structures in contrast to unfinished, vital materials creates loft atmosphere. The large, multilayer glass surfaces enlarge the space through reflection. The green glass banister along the platform contours generates a fine colour agreement in the interior. The individual formulation of the apartments is reflected in the floor-wise offsetting of the facade form. In the interior, various concrete shells generate diverse, subtly perceptible surface textures. The floor is cast in seamless anhydrite; its tonality is continued in the plastered outer walls. A concrete wall surrounds the yard in which round marble gravel reflects the light and brightens the garden.