Switzerland is a rich and prosper country, situated in the hearth of Europe at the foot of the Alps. It has been a farm and agricultural country for ages and has know turned to be an urban country where it’s Midland is a continuous urbanization. Although this changes urban planning is lacking in it’s mission to create a legible and intelligible land.

MAPS

PRI-switzerland-map-TRAVELS
PRI-switzerland-map-SPRAWL

Urban sprawl

PRI-switzerland-map-CITIES

Main cities

PRI-switzerland-map-ROADS

Main roads

PRI-switzerland-map-PLATEAU

The Midlands

PRI-switzerland-map-ORTHO

Switzerland as seen by Google Earth

PRI-switzerland-map-TRAVELS thumbnail
PRI-switzerland-map-SPRAWL thumbnail
PRI-switzerland-map-CITIES thumbnail
PRI-switzerland-map-ROADS thumbnail
PRI-switzerland-map-PLATEAU thumbnail
PRI-switzerland-map-ORTHO thumbnail

LANDSCAPE

IMG_5503-SMALL
IMG_6545-SMALL
IMG_8086-SMALL
IMG_5503-SMALL thumbnail
IMG_6545-SMALL thumbnail
IMG_8086-SMALL thumbnail
Swiss landscape is divided in three main regions, The Jura is a hilly and average altitude area, the plateau is the densest area and it is flat and slightly hilly. Agriculture and forest make it a very green zone where urbanization is more important every day. The third zone is the Alpine zone. This zone is of very low urbanization due to its topography.
Our research is focused on the plateau as it is the most built and sprawled zone. A wide range of vegetables and cereals are cultivated and stand next to small scale forest, giving an impression of a very green zone. This is of importance for the collective mental image of the country as it is perceived as an agricultural and green country and absolutely not as a built and infrastructured area.

DENSITY

B-07-1-A-single-house-in-the-fields

A single house in the fields.

B-07-2-A-low-density-group-of-villas

A low density group of villas.

B-07-3-A-renovated-farm-cluster-adjacent-to-the-road

A renovated farm cluster adjacent to the road.

B-07-4-Cluster-of-agricultural-buildings

Cluster of agricultural buildings.

B-07-5-Other-form-of-a-dense-village

Other form of a dense village.

B-07-6-Does-density-brings-quality

Does density brings quality?

B-07-7-First-generation-suburban-buildings.

First generation suburban buildings.

B-07-8-It-is-possible-to-mix-density-and-nature

It is possible to mix density and nature.

B-07-9-Densification-without-city

Densification without city.

B-07-1-A-single-house-in-the-fields thumbnail
B-07-2-A-low-density-group-of-villas thumbnail
B-07-3-A-renovated-farm-cluster-adjacent-to-the-road thumbnail
B-07-4-Cluster-of-agricultural-buildings thumbnail
B-07-5-Other-form-of-a-dense-village thumbnail
B-07-6-Does-density-brings-quality thumbnail
B-07-7-First-generation-suburban-buildings. thumbnail
B-07-8-It-is-possible-to-mix-density-and-nature thumbnail
B-07-9-Densification-without-city thumbnail
The built density makes a connection between the built mass and the space in which it is located. The built density can be numeric or perceived, it is both a qualitative and quantitative stake.

PUBLIC SPACE

B-12-1-Is-the-parking-slot-the-last-shared-space

Is the parking slot the last shared space?

B-12-2-Public-transport-infrastructure-as-a-meeting-point

Public transport infrastructure as a meeting point.

B-12-3-Fenced-collective-playground

Fenced collective playground.

B-12-4-Public-space-is-an-attractor-for-commercial-activities

Public space is attractive for commercial activities.

B-12-5-High-level-of-design-but-no-uses

High level of design but no uses.

B-12-6-Informal-public-space

Informal public space.

B-12-7-Shared-garden

Shared garden.

B-12-8-The-street-as-a-public-space

The street as a public space.

B-12-9-Suburban-landscape-architecture

Suburban landscape architecture.

B-12-1-Is-the-parking-slot-the-last-shared-space thumbnail
B-12-2-Public-transport-infrastructure-as-a-meeting-point thumbnail
B-12-3-Fenced-collective-playground thumbnail
B-12-4-Public-space-is-an-attractor-for-commercial-activities thumbnail
B-12-5-High-level-of-design-but-no-uses thumbnail
B-12-6-Informal-public-space thumbnail
B-12-7-Shared-garden thumbnail
B-12-8-The-street-as-a-public-space thumbnail
B-12-9-Suburban-landscape-architecture thumbnail
Public space is the space accessible to all social practice for individuals. It is also the space of the public sphere of the community, the space of the appearances and of togetherness.

STREETS

B-13-1-The-blind-street

The blind street.

B-13-2-Buildings-and-street-are-not-connected

Buildings and street are not connected.

B-13-3-Is-the-street-an-empty-parking-space

Is the street an empty parking space?

B-13-4-Green-street

Green street.

B-13-5-Suburban-commercial-street

Suburban commercial street.

B-13-6-The-bike-lane-takes-over

The bike lane takes over.

B-13-7-What-is-the-space-left-to-people

What is the space left to people?

B-13-8-Suburban-promenade

Suburban promenade.

B-13-9-Car-only-street

Car only street.

B-13-1-The-blind-street thumbnail
B-13-2-Buildings-and-street-are-not-connected thumbnail
B-13-3-Is-the-street-an-empty-parking-space thumbnail
B-13-4-Green-street thumbnail
B-13-5-Suburban-commercial-street thumbnail
B-13-6-The-bike-lane-takes-over thumbnail
B-13-7-What-is-the-space-left-to-people thumbnail
B-13-8-Suburban-promenade thumbnail
B-13-9-Car-only-street thumbnail
The street is a circulation space which handles the various flows such as networks, people, and infrastructure linking the buildings to each other. The street can be separated into several lanes of traffic.

THRESHOLD

B-14-1-Constructed-public-private-line

Constructed public-private line.

B-14-2-Vertical-threshold

Vertical threshold.

B-14-3-Front-door-as-back-door

Front door as back door.

B-14-4-Layers-from-private-to-public

Layers from private to public.

B-14-5-Commercial-threshold

Commercial threshold.

B-14-6-Green-semi-public-access-path

Green semi-public access path.

B-14-7-Twin-path-to-single-family-houses

Twin path to single family houses.

B-14-8-Is-the-car-a-sculpture-in-the-garden

Is the car a sculpture in the garden?

B-14-9-Even-the-postman-is-not-allowed-in

Even the postman is not allowed in.

B-14-1-Constructed-public-private-line thumbnail
B-14-2-Vertical-threshold thumbnail
B-14-3-Front-door-as-back-door thumbnail
B-14-4-Layers-from-private-to-public thumbnail
B-14-5-Commercial-threshold thumbnail
B-14-6-Green-semi-public-access-path thumbnail
B-14-7-Twin-path-to-single-family-houses thumbnail
B-14-8-Is-the-car-a-sculpture-in-the-garden thumbnail
B-14-9-Even-the-postman-is-not-allowed-in thumbnail
Small space that links between private space and public space. Sometimes called third space as it is between private and public, it allows a smooth transition between interiority and exteriority.

BUILDING LINE

B-15-1-Semi-private-multi-levels-building-line

Semi-private multi-levels building line.

B-15-2-No-street-alignment

No street alignment.

B-15-3-Large-scattered-blocks-on-a-collective-ground

Large scattered blocks on a collective ground.

B-15-4-Picturesque-village-like-settlement

Picturesque village-like settlement.

B-15-5-Multi-purposes-green-buffer

Multi-purposes green buffer.

B-15-6-Autistic-housing-units

Autistic housing units.

B-15-7-Landscape-is-the-monument-at-the-end-of-the-street

Landscape is the monument at the end of the street.

B-15-8-Street-without-geometric-rules

Street without geometric rules.

B-15-9-Overdesigned-infrastructure-facing-undesigned-urban-plan

Overdesigned infrastructure facing undesigned urban plan.

B-15-1-Semi-private-multi-levels-building-line thumbnail
B-15-2-No-street-alignment thumbnail
B-15-3-Large-scattered-blocks-on-a-collective-ground thumbnail
B-15-4-Picturesque-village-like-settlement thumbnail
B-15-5-Multi-purposes-green-buffer thumbnail
B-15-6-Autistic-housing-units thumbnail
B-15-7-Landscape-is-the-monument-at-the-end-of-the-street thumbnail
B-15-8-Street-without-geometric-rules thumbnail
B-15-9-Overdesigned-infrastructure-facing-undesigned-urban-plan thumbnail
The building line is one of the main rules of urban design. The morphology resulting from compliance or non-alignment gives masses of built urban space character.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS

B-16-1-With-the-new-roads-the-church-is-not-the-centre-point-anymore

With the new roads, the church is not the centre point anymore.

B-16-2-The-shape-of-a-house-for-commercial-uses

The shape of a house for commercial uses.

B-16-3-A-public-roof-in-a-neighbourhood

A public roof in a neighbourhood.

B-16-4-Is-the-public-building-acting-as-a-landmark

Is the public building acting as a landmark?

B-16-5-What-makes-it-a-public-building

What makes it a public building?

B-16-6-A-village-restaurant-for-young-and-old

A village restaurant for young and old.

B-16-7-Shine-bright-like-a-diamond

Shine bright like a diamond.

B-16-8-Does-a-public-building-has-to-be-different

Does a public building has to be different?

B-16-9-Signs-of-public-activities-in-a-private-structure

Signs of public activities in a private structure.

B-16-1-With-the-new-roads-the-church-is-not-the-centre-point-anymore thumbnail
B-16-2-The-shape-of-a-house-for-commercial-uses thumbnail
B-16-3-A-public-roof-in-a-neighbourhood thumbnail
B-16-4-Is-the-public-building-acting-as-a-landmark thumbnail
B-16-5-What-makes-it-a-public-building thumbnail
B-16-6-A-village-restaurant-for-young-and-old thumbnail
B-16-7-Shine-bright-like-a-diamond thumbnail
B-16-8-Does-a-public-building-has-to-be-different thumbnail
B-16-9-Signs-of-public-activities-in-a-private-structure thumbnail
A public building is a construction – closed or not – built by and for a community. This is sometimes a landmark or a reference object known to all.

PRIVATE SPACE

B-17-1-Overdesigned-external-space

Overdesigned external space.

B-17-2-The-door-is-a-showroom

The door is a showroom.

B-17-3-My-front-is-your-back

My front is your back.

B-17-4-Private-jungle

Private jungle.

B-17-5-Behind-the-buttress

Behind the buttress.

B-17-6-Aseptic-private-lane

Aseptic private lane.

B-17-7-Mini-garden

Mini garden.

B-17-8-Specific-activities-toward-the-street

Specific activities toward the street.

B-17-9-Green-island

Green island.

B-17-1-Overdesigned-external-space thumbnail
B-17-2-The-door-is-a-showroom thumbnail
B-17-3-My-front-is-your-back thumbnail
B-17-4-Private-jungle thumbnail
B-17-5-Behind-the-buttress thumbnail
B-17-6-Aseptic-private-lane thumbnail
B-17-7-Mini-garden thumbnail
B-17-8-Specific-activities-toward-the-street thumbnail
B-17-9-Green-island thumbnail
The private area is for a single user or a group of user. The boundaries are clearly marked and explicit. This space can be either inside or outside.

LIMITS

B-18-1-Acoustic-limit

Acoustic limit.

B-18-2-What-is-the-flexibility-left-to-this-space

What is the flexibility left to this space?

B-18-3-Through-a-limit-to-a-limit

Through a limit to a limit.

B-18-4-How-to-cross-to-the-neighbours

How to cross to the neighbors?

B-18-5-The-bench-is-a-switch

The bench is a switch.

B-18-6-The-secret-garden

The secret garden.

B-18-7-House-overwhelmed-by-it-s-own-limits

House overwhelmed by it’s own limits.

B-18-8-Green-barriers

Green barriers.

B-18-9.-Private-island

Private island.

B-18-1-Acoustic-limit thumbnail
B-18-2-What-is-the-flexibility-left-to-this-space thumbnail
B-18-3-Through-a-limit-to-a-limit thumbnail
B-18-4-How-to-cross-to-the-neighbours thumbnail
B-18-5-The-bench-is-a-switch thumbnail
B-18-6-The-secret-garden thumbnail
B-18-7-House-overwhelmed-by-it-s-own-limits thumbnail
B-18-8-Green-barriers thumbnail
B-18-9.-Private-island thumbnail
Between two spaces in nature or different use is a limit. It can make the switch, transfer or the link between these different spaces. The limit can be materialized or not, explicit or not.

TYPES

150505-PS-axos-01-CH-detached-house
B-CH-01-SurseestrasseSchlagmatt
B-CH-01-AuVillage
B-CH-01-Hasel
150505-PS-axos-02-CH-densified-farm-house
B-CH-02-Amriswillerstrasse
B-CH-02-Flachtalstrasse
B-CH-02-Wauwillerstrasse
150505-PS-axos-03-CH-terraced-house
B-CH-03-KirchlindachHallen
B-CH-03-RiedbruggmatteEttiswil
B-CH-03-RueLouisGuillaumeMarin
150505-PS-axos-04-CH-residential
B-CH-04-Muensterstrasse
B-CH-04-Seestrasse
B-CH-04-Wiesweg
150505-PS-axos-05-CH-collective
B-CH-05-WahntalerstrasseHoeri
B-CH-05-NeufeldstrasseWettingen
B-CH-05-HaisihofEtiswil
150505-PS-axos-06-CH-XL
B-CH-06-Sursee
B-CH-06-MarinEpagnier
B-CH-06-Hochdorf
B-CH-06-Etiswil
150505-PS-axos-01-CH-detached-house thumbnail
B-CH-01-SurseestrasseSchlagmatt thumbnail
B-CH-01-AuVillage thumbnail
B-CH-01-Hasel thumbnail
150505-PS-axos-02-CH-densified-farm-house thumbnail
B-CH-02-Amriswillerstrasse thumbnail
B-CH-02-Flachtalstrasse thumbnail
B-CH-02-Wauwillerstrasse thumbnail
150505-PS-axos-03-CH-terraced-house thumbnail
B-CH-03-KirchlindachHallen thumbnail
B-CH-03-RiedbruggmatteEttiswil thumbnail
B-CH-03-RueLouisGuillaumeMarin thumbnail
150505-PS-axos-04-CH-residential thumbnail
B-CH-04-Muensterstrasse thumbnail
B-CH-04-Seestrasse thumbnail
B-CH-04-Wiesweg thumbnail
150505-PS-axos-05-CH-collective thumbnail
B-CH-05-WahntalerstrasseHoeri thumbnail
B-CH-05-NeufeldstrasseWettingen thumbnail
B-CH-05-HaisihofEtiswil thumbnail
150505-PS-axos-06-CH-XL thumbnail
B-CH-06-Sursee thumbnail
B-CH-06-MarinEpagnier thumbnail
B-CH-06-Hochdorf thumbnail
B-CH-06-Etiswil thumbnail

DATAS

POPULATION 2010: 7’758’000
POPULATION 1990: 6’712’000
POPULATION 1970: 6’181’000
POPULATION 1950: 4’694’000

AVERAGE INCOME
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE 2.8% (2011 est.)

AVERAGE AGE 42 years
0-14 years: 15.2% (male 621,785/ female 586,205)
15-64 years: 67.6% (male 2,696,392/ female 2,665,191)
65 years and over: 17.1% (male 584,809/ female 771,135) (2012 est.)

AVERAGE SQM/HABITANTS
AVERAGE TIME TRAVEL TO WORK
URBANIZATION
urban population: 74% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 0.5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

NET IMMIGRATION RATE 1.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)
EMIGRANTS

GDP PER CAPITA $44,500 (2011 est.)
agriculture (1.2%)
industry (27.5%)
services (71.3%)