Lazarus competition project in Basel
The project provides reconstruction of existing house into a mixed-use apartment and office building
Sense of place
Building reconstruction will have a positive effect on the living environment. Due to the use of common areas inside the building and common space on the terrace, new opportunities for various activities will appear. Facade reconstruction will promote the street attractiveness. Elbow awnings (canopy) and wooden structures of the facade change completely the house perception, and glazed entrance passage creates a new visual connection between the street and the interior.
Architectural expressiveness
The project provides for a maximum use of existing structures and utilities to transform the building into a living space, as well as reducing the scope of construction work and completion time. The internal structure allows creating an up-to-date offer with compact apartments adapted to redevelopment, common areas, terraces, premises for rent and rational use of existing building structures. Appropriate conditions provided for people with disabilities. Access to the top floor apartments provided through the northern facade gallery. The gallery is mostly open; part of it has a closed circuit hosting vertical utility systems and a service area for residents. Access to the mezzanine floor apartments provided through an open terrace, on the west facade there is a common terrace (outdoor area). The ground floor hosts a cluster apartment with four rooms and access to the courtyard. In addition, the ground floor hosts a common room with a shared kitchen and access to the courtyard, which the residents can use for their own needs or rent. The offices are located partly on the ground floor and partly on the first level of the ground floor, part of which is further separated and heated, lighting comes through the windows on the ground floor. The first level of the ground floor also hosts a workshop and a room for hobbies; the headlights for this room have been replaced and enlarged. The unheated circuit on the first level of the ground floor provides a parking area for cars and bicycles, technical rooms maintained at the regular place. There are 30 spacious closets on the second level of the ground floor.
Apartments
All apartments in the house have the river and street views, equipped with a through ventilation (on both sides of the building), as well as protective structures (awnings) to protect from sun. Starting from the first level of the ground floor, all apartments have summer quarters (loggias, terraces). Cluster apartments on the ground floor are connected to the common room and courtyard, and during warm season, it is possible to transform, open windows and connect the common room with the courtyard (co-living). The living room is equipped with an island kitchen. Housing development is free of limitations and adapts to SIA 500. The apartments have compact bathroom-kitchen modules; the rest of the space can be easily adapted to the needs of the residents. The apartments have the most flexible layout, on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th floors there are apartments with a toilet and a shower room in the centre of the apartment with the possibility of bypassing on both sides. The necessary zoning achieved through furniture with a door, if several people live in the apartment. This solution provides for apartment easy transformation, and contributes to the efficient use of space depending on the individual needs of the residents. On the upper floors, there are apartments with two bedrooms, each with an individual terrace and access to the common terrace of the house oriented towards west and provides a panoramic view of the river. This place on the roof is a space for the residents’ shared time and communication, as well as other possible types of outdoor activities.
Cost effectiveness
Project cost effectiveness (or sustainability) is achieved through the following principles:
- maximum preservation of the existing framework, reuse of concrete facade panels;
- preservation of utility systems;
- compact, adaptive, flexible apartments that meet the residents’ needs;
- repeatability of components (modules of bathrooms and kitchens, cabinets, doors, windows);
- prefabricated cladding structures; the structure can be easily and quickly mounted;
- income from renting premises.
Environmental friendliness and reliability
The project aims to implement the principles of sustainable development through the use of a minimum amount of energy and materials. Heat insulation and the use of sun protection technologies contribute to passive energy saving and do not require constant maintenance. The shell, core and utilities of the building – separated from the basement, thus removing the thermal (cold) bridges in the existing structures. Project utilizes:
- ventilation: through ventilation, passive ventilation, window frames with a recuperation system to ensure a constant fresh air flow;
- northern gallery reduces the amount of heating;
- heating – centralized, pre- installed equipment;
- photovoltaic systems – partially compensate for the house's need for heat and electricity;
- location of the toilet above the toilet simplifies the sewer system;
- protection of the southern facade from sun – gallery, awnings;
- canopy of greenery over the courtyard;
- use of rainwater for irrigation;
- thermal insulation of the house in accordance with the requirements (Requirements of current energy standards in Basel-Stadt canton). The concrete framework is partially open, polished; modular wooden units are environmentally friendly, fastened to the framework easily, and quickly; recycled concrete panels for attic flooring, construction materials are free of heavy metals and solvents, formaldehyde; no non-European wood without quality and safety certificates used. Triple-glazed windows (heat transfer coefficient of 1.0 [W/m2K]), light lanterns replaced, insulation of the structure in accordance with the recommendations for modernization based on the energy passport of the building for a separate canton (GEAK® Plus). Inter-apartment walls with a double framework – Knauf, meet the required standards of sound insulation and fire resistance. Fireproof ceiling in accordance with current standards.
Loadbearing construction concept
Project provides for preservation of a significant part of the existing loadbearing structures, including walls and ceilings. New holes and slots are reinforced with metal structures. The wall of the rear facade is fragmentarily (partially) dismantled and compensated with a metal framework.
Obstacles-free construction
All floors and rooms are accessible to limited mobility groups. To this end, the building provides for the installation of an elevator with two entrances. Street is connected to the first floor through special lifting sliding structures “Sesame lifts” (https://www.sesameaccess.com) or similar equipment. Removable partitions are used in toilets and bathrooms for prompt transformation and adaptation to the needs of people with disabilities.
Courtyard
Courtyard roof is being reconstructed, intensive landscaping is used on the roof surface. Shade-tolerant plants are used. The roof space is divided into two zones: green one with vegetation and a zone with a hard surface to walk along the facade. The boundary between the zones does not have a clear division.
