©Fernando Guerra

Concept
A continuous, upwardly winding spiral of 2.8 km connects all units and residents spatially and socially, forming a “living city” within the nine-storey structure. The building first hosted the Youth Olympic Games 2020 before becoming housing for 1,100 students and academic guests. The ramp, courtyard and roof terrace foster encounters, exchange and solidarity, while the circular form reinforces the idea of living together.
 
Campus UNIL / EPFL
With its circular geometry, the building appears as a solitaire and at the same time extends the existing campus. The permeable ground floor connects the courtyard directly to the landscape, while trees and public functions enhance the integration into its surroundings.
 
Organization and cohabitation
Residential units are placed as wooden boxes within the spiral ramp, oriented towards the courtyard and landscape. Together with the curved ramp edge, they create diverse private and communal outdoor spaces. The ramp, inclined at 1%, connects all floors, apartments, the courtyard and the roof terrace, taking about 25 minutes to walk from bottom to top. It serves as a shared path and space of social interaction.
 
Structure / Architecture
The spiral-shaped concrete structure defines the building’s expression, while lightweight wooden volumes house the apartments. The conceptual superimposition of a strict orthogonal grid with the circular ramp organizes the repetitive units and reinforces the clarity of the design. This interplay offers varied views and outdoor areas for the residents.
 
Sustainability
Solar panels, modular timber construction, retention areas and sustainable materials reduce the ecological footprint. Social sustainability is promoted by shared spaces, the spiral path, the green courtyard and affordable rents.

Architecture / Design Firm, Planning:
Dürig AG, Zurich; Raphael Boesch, Joshua Brägger, Marta Codina, Clara San Millàn Cesteros, Jean-Pierre Dürig, Noélie Ernst-Sénéclauze, Denis Ferré, Lionel Jacquod, Simon Kempf, Alvaro Navas, Verena Nelles-Kempf, Josep Ribes, Linda Serra
 
Architecture, Execution:
Itten + Brechbühl SA, Lausanne; Daniel Beutler, Patrick Burgy, Joel Carter, Mario Dias, Britta Fehse, Paolo Figueiredo, Christophe Gauthier, Vasco Feorgiev, Stéphane Hacker, Robin Kirschke, Bao Phan, Philipp Reichen, Alexandre Sarazin, Guillaume Schobinger, Petra Stump Lys, Jean-David da Silva, Vincent Wolfensberger
 
 
Planning Team:
 
General contractor:
uas unternehmen für architektur und städtebau ag, Zurich; Jean-Pierre Dürig, Simon Kempf, Josep Ribes
 
Local Architects:
Ittenbrechbühl
Daniel Beutler, Robin Kirschke, Philipp Reichen, Alexandre Sarazin, Guillaume Schobinger, Vincent Wolfensberger
 
Cost planner
Griesmeier Baumanagment AG, Wil
Stefan Griesmeier
2ap / Abplanalp Affolter Partner, Bern
Werner Abplanalp, Manuel Michel, Mikael Parvex
 
Landscape architecture:
Studio Vulkan Landschaftsarchitektur, Zurich;
Iulia Dobrovie, Simon Enemærke, Elisabeth Huber, Maja Leonelli, Lukas Schweingruber, , Helen Yu
Hüsler et Associés, Lausanne
Maxime Bernhard, Christoph Hüsler,
 
Structural engineer:
MWV Bauingenieure AG
Leda Calgeer, Ljupka Peric, Quentin Studemann
 
Wood Engineer:
Pirmin Jung Ingenieure, Sargans
Lukas Wolf, Marcel Zahnd
 
HVACE engineer:
Amstein + Walthert SA, Lausanne;
Nicolas Amacker, Emiliano Consentino
Alessio Giorgerini, Claude Goldenschue, Florent Lallemant, Ural Olgun, Mickael Payen, Narcisse Plumey, Christophe Sannicolo, François Simbsler,
 
Physical engineer:
Amstein + Walthert SA, Genève
Matthias Achermann, Martin Python
 
Façade planning:
Préface Sarl:
Sylvain Mercier, Lorenzo Simeoni
 
Lighting Specialists:
Büro Licht, Ittingen
Sarah Luedi, Valerie Sauvin
 
Tranport Specialists: Transitec
Julien Fleury, Katia Gurtner
 
Geologist:
De Cérenville
Scott Favre, Yves Houriet Alain Oulevey
 
Land surveyer:
Renaud et Burnand SA
Thierry Burnand, Michaël Staub