Beauty: The Forbidden Word

Throughout my architecture studies, we often discussed topics such as construction and the use of various actors. It revolved around issues of appropriability, context, and sustainability. However, what rarely came up in the critiques was the question of beauty. It seems that we avoid talking about this topic. Therefore, it does not surprise me that the term beauty and aesthetics do not appear a single time in the official description of the architectural education at the Department of ETH Zurich. While beauty used to be a central component of architectural education for centuries, it now seems to only play a minor role.

Why Beauty Matters in Architecture

Cities will play a central role in combating climate change and shaping the relationship between humans and nature. Due to their density, they consume significantly less energy and resources per capita compared to single-family housing developments. Therefore, an increasing number of people are likely to live in cities in the future. As existing cities need to be expanded to accommodate this growth, the question of beauty is of paramount importance to me. I believe that when we find something beautiful, we take better care of it and advocate for its preservation. The lifespan of a building is just as crucial to its sustainability as the materials from which it is constructed. A building can hardly be considered sustainable if it is demolished after only 40 years.

New Traditional Architecture

The most common counterargument one hears when it comes to the topic of beauty is that beauty is subjective. But is that really the whole truth? I wonder why I am often drawn to neighborhoods that predate modernity. And when I look around these places, it seems that I am not the only one who feels this way. With my diploma thesis, I aim to present a design that I have created using the principles of new traditional architecture. New Traditional Architecture is not a style but rather a framework for designing. This framework is always specific and context-oriented. It refers to the style of the surroundings and favors local expressions that contribute to identity.

Problematic Aspects

Role models must be critically examined in terms of their symbolism and significance and adjusted to the values of our present society. Just because something has been done in a certain way for a long time does not automatically grant it legitimacy.

Project – Background

The project aimed to serve as an antithesis to two other area projects in the vicinity, which, in my opinion, lacked attention to detail compared to their surroundings. The facades did not reflect the diversity of the residents inside and thus contrasted with the perimeter blocks in the Neustadt neighborhood. The Lucerne Housing Cooperative (ABL), which was responsible for both projects, expressed interest in a third area. Therefore, I chose this area for my project. The ABL planned a new construction project that would involve completely demolishing the existing structure, similar to the previous area. This

Design

With my design, I aim to propose a solution that preserves a significant portion of the existing structure and integrates it into a new context. The new construction is limited to the area currently occupied by the fire station, which will become obsolete in the coming years due to a relocation. The buildings should integrate into the neighborhood while also enhancing the potential of the existing structures. The facades are not bound by the pressure to adopt trendy modern facade designs but instead incorporate insights from research conducted in the Neustadt neighborhood and the directly adjacent buildings. The design aims to present a comprehensible architectural language within the context of the surrounding area, taking into account the human scale. Structurally, the perimeter block consists of two types of houses that, in their expression, project a diverse image onto the street space.