Florian Reisner

Almost half of all buildings in Switzerland are single-family homes. Most of them are designed to serve the nuclear family model. When the children move out, the surplus space may feel comfortable at first. While the hobby room or the untouched children’s rooms might initially mask it, the space becomes increasingly unsuitable for the next stage of life. Financially, however, it makes little sense for most owners to make a change, as any move away from homeownership tends to be more expensive and uncertain. This leads to a situation in which, particularly in old age, an average of over 80 m2 of living space per person is occupied in Switzerland.

The project proposes a «Raumrochade» — a spatial exchange, where homeowners join a cooperative. Their cooperative share is their homeownership. The economic model enables them to live at a secure, affordable rent, while their property is rented out to young families under cooperative terms. The rental income also creates a financial advantage. Additional benefits include revitalizing underused properties, reducing rental prices, and encouraging closer living arrangements.

Each apartment is unique, because members enjoy the flexibility in adapting their space. The design approach translates personal stories from their former homes into the new appartments. The cost of modifications can be offset against the cooperative’s investment in their property, allowing members to make changes without financial loss — and without triggering repayment obligations when leaving the cooperative.

The model stands as an option to shortcut the current cycle of “ownership” / “usership” in single family houses.