Manuel Büchel

The constant increase of needed living space is a process of major concern in the Swiss cityscape. Given that we cannot resolve densification issues by building more, we must rethink how we inhabit our spaces, as well as create spaces that are more receptive to changing contexts and demands.

The condition of elderly dwelling in Switzerland is a meaningful focal point of this issue. Often, older citizens live in oversized homes that are larger than their need. In many cases of this kind, relocation seems to be the only way out, as the buildings are usually unable to cope with fluctuations in use or spatial requirements. The resulting sense of alienation in terms of spatial identity often coincides with the increasing difficulty that ageing people have in maintaining or fostering a social network.

To address these interlinked challenges, the interventions at Beau Séjour aim to create an architecture that enables people to grow old in their own homes, with floor plans that adapt to changing life conditions. Additionally, the architectural alterations to the existing structure create threshold spaces that facilitate spontaneous and unplanned encounters while enabling a dynamic relationship between the structure and its users’ needs. This applies from the neighbourhood to the access to one’s own apartment and the intimacy of one’s bedroom.

The building’s layered history, the vernacular architecture of Fluntern, and a short story by Lydia Davis celebrating the beauty of ageing all serve as inspiration. The transformation of Beau Séjour picks up the spirit of the neighbourhood’s historical transformations, which often responded to housing shortages in versatile, economical and characterful ways, while remaining densely populated.