House for the second stage of life
Jürg Zürcher Fotografie

House for the second stage of life

Markus Alder Architekten GmbH St.Gallen as Architects

A small house for the second stage of life requires an age-appropriate and obstacle-free design. Thanks to the central location of the house in the center of Schmerikon, good connections to infrastructure and services are made possible, which shortens everyday commutes and facilitates participation in social life.

The house achieves a high degree of autartkie through the use of geothermal energy and photovoltaics. A geothermal heat pump uses the natural heat energy in the ground to heat the house and produce hot water. However, the modern underfloor heating system also allows it to be used for cooling in the summer. The photovoltaic panels on the roof provide the energy to operate the heat pump, as well as for the electrical consumers.

photo_credit Jürg Zürcher Fotografie
Jürg Zürcher Fotografie
photo_credit Jürg Zürcher Fotografie
Jürg Zürcher Fotografie

By dispensing with a concrete basement, CO2 emissions could be reduced. For an alternative storage option, the storage room in the eastern extension of the house is ideal. The compact construction method in prefabricated wooden elements is environmentally friendly and creates an efficient use of the available space. Wood is a sustainable, renewable building material that binds CO2. This timber frame construction also allows for good thermal insulation with minimal construction thickness, resulting in optimal utilization, especially for the small lot. The chosen insulation material, cellulose insulation, further contributes to a minimal CO2 impact and good thermal insulation.

All rooms are directly lit and ventilated. This allows optimal use of daylight, which reduces the need for artificial lighting. In addition, skylights were used to direct natural light into interior areas as well.

photo_credit Jürg Zürcher Fotografie
Jürg Zürcher Fotografie
photo_credit Jürg Zürcher Fotografie
Jürg Zürcher Fotografie

Team:
Architect: Markus Alder Architekten GmbH
Site Management: Rolf Giezendanner
Photography: Jürg Zürcher Fotografie

photo_credit Jürg Zürcher Fotografie
Jürg Zürcher Fotografie
photo_credit Jürg Zürcher Fotografie
Jürg Zürcher Fotografie

Material Used:
1. Facade cladding: Woodformwork in Whitefir
2. Flooring: Wood parquet oak oiled, Bauwerk
3. Windows: Wooden - Metal Windows
4. Roofing: Double seam roof in Copper

Caption
Caption
Caption

Read story in Deutsch

Products Behind Projects
Product Spotlight
News
Sanjay Puri, Dominique Petit-Frere, Emre Arolat and Yenny Zhang join Archello Awards 2024 jury
23 May 2024 Archello Awards
Sanjay Puri, Dominique Petit-Frere, Emre Arolat and Yenny Zhang join Archello Awards 2024 jury

Sanjay Puri, Dominique Petit-Frere, Emre Arolat and Yenny Zhang have been announced as Archello Awar... More

Storefront in Amsterdam by Dok architecten features sculpted facade of hand-molded bricks
23 May 2024 News
Storefront in Amsterdam by Dok architecten features sculpted facade of hand-molded bricks

The Italian fashion brand Dolce & Gabbana has opened a store in Amsterdam's P.C. Hooftstraat ret... More

Prokš Přikryl Architekti converts historic grain silo into multifunctional conference and art space
22 May 2024 News
Prokš Přikryl Architekti converts historic grain silo into multifunctional conference and art space

Prague-based Prokš Přikryl Architekti has converted the grain silo of a historic mill buildin... More

Surman Weston veils self-build Peckham House in hit-and-miss brickwork
21 May 2024 News
Surman Weston veils self-build Peckham House in hit-and-miss brickwork

London-based architectural studio Surman Weston has completed its first self-build project in the vi... More

Key projects by Woods Bagot
21 May 2024 News
Key projects by Woods Bagot

Woods Bagot is a global architecture firm known for its diverse portfolio of forward-thinking and su... More

Filippo Taidelli Architetto designs transparent “knowledge hangar” near Milan
20 May 2024 News
Filippo Taidelli Architetto designs transparent “knowledge hangar” near Milan

Milan-based Filippo Taidelli Architetto designed the Roberto Rocca Innovation Building as part of th... More

Klaksvik Rowing Clubhouse by Henning Larsen celebrates Faroese sporting and cultural heritage
20 May 2024 News
Klaksvik Rowing Clubhouse by Henning Larsen celebrates Faroese sporting and cultural heritage

Danish architectural firm Henning Larsen features in Archello’s 25 best architecture firms in... More

WOODlife’s floors and finishes add warmth and texture to Oslo House
17 May 2024 News
WOODlife’s floors and finishes add warmth and texture to Oslo House

Dutch flooring brand WOODlife was included in Archello’s list of 25 best engineered wood floor... More