At the Plätzli in Altdorf
New building in the historic town centre
In the centre of Altdorf, an ensemble of two modern buildings has been created around an exciting inner courtyard. It is the successful culmination of a complex planning and construction process.
The slumbering village corner
For many years, the hidden city garden near the «Plätzli» was only known to those familiar with the area. With its rock garden and green spaces, surrounded by houses, it offered a quiet retreat. However, prudent investors recognised the potential of this location, which could combine aesthetic and economic aspects. After acquiring the land, the planning phase began. The aim was to meet the demand for high-quality living space while preserving the quiet privacy of the garden. The renowned architectural firm G&A Architekten, known for the Chedi Hotel in Andermatt, was commissioned.
Explore purpose, volume and design language
During project development, it was important to define key features and balance conflicting objectives. Although a maximum building volume can be economically advantageous, it often jeopardises the quality of living and charm, which in turn could affect marketing success. At the same time, aesthetic aspects had to be harmonised with the «hard figures» of a building development.
In order to preserve the character of the garden, a conical garden was designed that is open towards Tellgasse and enclosed by two new residential buildings. The rock garden remains as a homage to times gone by and is framed by new green spaces. The living rooms and balconies of the buildings face the garden and reinforce the feeling of a private oasis that stands out from everyday life. This arrangement also promotes openness and familiarity among the residents in the «green atrium».
The architecture combines tradition with modernity: historic gabled roofs and dormers from the small town have been incorporated, as have organic façade colours. This contrasts with floor-to-ceiling windows and modern balconies made of steel and wood. The interior is dominated by open-plan concepts and high-quality fixtures and fittings. Advanced building technology, such as heat pump heating, a photovoltaic system and controlled ventilation, ensure modern living comfort.
From ground-breaking ceremony to building completion
The development within an existing settlement pattern required careful planning. It began with a geological analysis to check the load-bearing capacity of the soil. Understanding underground pipes and sewers was equally important.
After the preparations, the actual construction phase began. Similar to a kitchen, everything began with the «mise en place» - the organisation of all materials and equipment. Construction site logistics were crucial in order to coordinate materials and workers efficiently and minimise disruption to the surrounding traffic. Noise, dust and rubble were kept to a minimum. This internal development in an existing neighbourhood posed particular challenges for the developers.
Building realisation began with the first excavation cut. After the excavation work, the foundations were laid, followed by the shell construction work, during which floor by floor was erected. The shell was followed by the timber roof construction, the façade work and the installation of the building services.
The targeted interior fit-out and the design of the surroundings created the high-quality accents that characterise the «Am Plätzli» project today. A successful combination of aesthetics, economy and living comfort.