Dismantling and new construction, Thalwil. Won competition.

Won Competition of the municipality of Thalwil. Dismantling and new construction of the Blumenhof property, Thalwil. Fee submission for general planner. Our winning project: The replacement building in the historic Blumenhof of the municipality of Thalwil requires a volumetric reformulation of the structure, both in terms of height and footprint, based on the historical building. The striking urban corner situation on Alte Landstrasse is preserved and thus its portal effect. The volume of the new building is sensitively and moderately integrated into the existing building, thus forming a balanced triad with the two historic houses «Villa Sonnegg» and the town hall, with which it is connected underground to the existing garage. The parking garage can now also be accessed more attractively via the access to the replacement Blumenhof building. The facade of the replacement building is designed as a perforated facade with standing windows as a reference to the historic existing building. The existing open space is preserved and underlines the historical ensemble as a «new» small community square as a connecting element. It is intended to invite the public and provide orientation about the community buildings and functions.

The decision of the project commission is: The project commission has awarded the fee offer and the project idea of the company hwa Architects AG, Zurich. The concept is mature, has implemented the requirements of the task very well and still promises optimization potential. The victorious team is congratulated and many thanks for the work they have done.

Image 01: View of Alte Landstrasse; Image 02: Sketch of the Blumenhof; Image 03: Sketch from above; Image 04: View sketch; Image 05: View of Mühlengasse; Image 06: Longitudinal section; Image 07: Illustration Blumenhof.

hwa Architekten AG.

La Resgia maintenance depot in the municipality of Pontresina. Extension.

The maintenance depot of the municipality of Pontresina had to be expanded. New garages were built for the modern fleet of vehicles, workshops and storage areas. The extension on a hillside was designed in such a way that all garages, workshops and warehouses can be accessed at ground level and there is enough space in front of the buildings for parking and maneuvering vehicles. The elongated, two-story purpose-built building has large roller shutters and, with its wooden cladding, blends harmoniously into the landscape of the Bernina region.

Personal reference from Roland Hinzer as senior architect at Hinzer Architektur AG.

Hotel Giardino Mountains. Modification.

The architecture and interior design for hotels, restaurants and or other common areas require a different dimensioned planning. Here, the former Chesa Guardalej in St. Moritz-Champfèr was converted into the 5-star resort Giardino Mountain by a complete renovation. Now more space, generosity and casual luxury welcome the guest. The design of the entrance area is a particular challenge, because the guest should be able to see all of the options on offer. He wants to be led, not confused. He also expects a neat, inviting private sphere in the guest rooms and suites. Clear design and fine natural materials ensure relaxed wellbeing. The interior, for which bofor design GmbH and the planning office Bachhuber-Geissinger are responsible, underlines the luxurious overall concept. The three restaurants, which invite the guest to enjoy, also radiate the modern alpine lifestyle character. The spacious and elegant wellness area with its eight treatment rooms and indoor pool  also creates with the harmonious lighting design the ideal atmosphere for relaxing and being pampered.

Personal reference from Roland Hinzer as senior architect at Hinzer Architektur AG

Individual house. New building.

The builder, a globetrotter and with his wife owner of a trendy restaurant in St. Moritz, wanted an architect who “can listen well”. Because his house should reflect and capture all the experiences and emotions from decades of stays in the Far East, Argentina and the capitals of the world in the beloved Swiss mountains. So a very individual house - almost like its owner - on four levels  was created on a slope over Lake St. Moritz. The curved roof and its gables are reminiscent of Far Eastern pagodas, the round, central “portholes” and the exterior wood plank paneling of the many years on the ship. The south side is cosmopolitan and offers a wonderful view of the beautiful surroundings. A glass cube open on three sides in the lowest part of the slope with the visible rock wall in the back is the ideal creative space for new ideas. The symbiosis of yesterday and here and now has succeeded, reflecting the attitude to life as a free spirit.

Personal reference from Roland Hinzer as senior architect at Hinzer Architektur AG.

Apartment set up as a floor. Addition.

A new floor on an existing building in the middle of St. Moritz. Inside, the rooms were designed with light. Clear structures that are constantly reinventing themselves with the choice of colors. The world of colors continue in the reflective mosaic in the bathroom and invite you to immerse yourself in the vastness of the universe.

Personal reference from Roland Hinzer as senior architect at Hinzer Architektur AG.

Residential and commercial building. New building.

Exposed concrete is an indispensable design element in modern architecture, as it is considered a contemporary interpretation of puristic modernism. Many builders appreciate its charisma as an «industrial charm», as it is often called. Natural-based concrete today actually has nothing to do with the frowned upon heavy blocks of the 1970s. However, it requires an exact planning, because once cast, every mistake is immortalized in its surface. However, if you master your handling, you can «conjure up» creative structures. In view of the Engadine tradition of building houses with the materials of the surrounding nature, a wood look was chosen here. For this purpose, a complete external formwork was made with larch wood, which now leaves its unmistakable imprints in the exposed concrete. The window and door openings were also not subsequently cut out of the concrete, but were already recorded in the formwork. Thus, a residential building from a flowing cast was created with the charm of the surrounding forests.

Personal reference from Roland Hinzer as senior architect at Hinzer Architektur AG.

Villa in the Engadine. New building.

Transparency with style. The house nestles seamlessly into the surrounding nature and offers the owner plenty of space to enjoy the wonderful view. The interior of the house is ample and spacious. Clear lines and puristic furnishings underline its transparency. In the basement there is a wellness oasis with a swimming landscape, waterfall and special light effects. A well-planned «control center» is required, in order for the light, waterfall and device technology to work smoothly. Of course, we also take care of this and the best energy efficiency.

Personal reference from Roland Hinzer as senior architect at Hinzer Architektur AG.

Multi-family houses. Execution plan.

The Reckholderen project in Oberglatt is located on the outskirts of the municipality in the immediate vicinity of the airport. The first thing to do here is to meet the high requirements for sound insulation, and a typical local design should also be implemented. With a single 117 m long facade made of wooden slats and their openings for windows and passageways, the development forms a striking finish on the outskirts of Oberglatt. Two of the four multi-family houses surround an inner courtyard, creating a calm retreat for the residents of the settlement.

hwa Architekten AG

Du Lac nursing home. Competition.

Du Lac nursing home, St. Moritz-Bad. The angled new building of the Du Lac 1773.5 nursing home with its two striking wings for the nursing stations and the central building with its main opening spans a space-like anteroom. This functions as a joint that connects St. Moritz Bad with St. Moritz Dorf in terms of urban planning. The common rooms are located directly on the facade and offer a view of the Engadine mountains.

hwa Architekten AG

Post office Zurich Molkenstrasse. Conversion.

The former post office building on Molkenstrasse Zurich was completely renovated and converted from an office use on the upper floors to residential use. The transformation of an office building into a residential building in the immediate vicinity of Helvetiaplatz and Langstrasse represents an exciting intervention in the existing building structure.

New retail stores move into the ground floor, but office use remains on the 1st and 2nd floors, internally connected via two floors.

The majority of the building was reduced to the shell and the previous office space on the three upper floors was transferred to small apartments and a few 3.5 room apartments.

In the southwest, the new apartments will have a balcony, and the roof areas will be activated as terraces for the general public.

Pic 01: View of the building; Pic 02: apartment with balcony; Pic 03: 3.5 room apartment, kitchen and hallway; Pic 04: living room and bathroom; Pic 05: kitchen unit and bathroom; Pic 06: 1-room apartment; Pic 07: Floor plan of a 1-room apartment.

hwa Architekten AG

Housing estate Userrain, Kestenholz, Solothurn. New building.

The plot on the outskirts of Kestenholz near Solothurn is characterized by a striking hillside location. The new building buildings in their urban and architectural form fit into the environment like point structures. The six two-storey buildings with attic follow the site harmoniously and form the new Userrain settlement. Half of the apartments are sold as condominiums and the other half are intended as rental apartments. In the center of the new settlement is a multi-purpose pavilion, which is available to all residents. The bevelled building lines break up the size of the volume and strengthen the monolithic appearance. The facades are clearly divided into horizontal and vertical surfaces and allow the floors and apartments to be clearly read. The materialization is provided in regional slate slabs, which leads to an elegant and unique appearance.

Pic 01: Front view of house 13; Pic 02: Site plan; Pic 03: Plot size; Pic 04: Ground floor of house 13; Pic 05: Upper floor division; Pic 06: attic division

hwa Architekten AG