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What does it mean to develop a new neighbourhood on the site of a former cement factory at Lake Lucerne?  It begins with the challenge of transforming Brunnen’s industrial brownfield into a place for contemporary living. The project seeks to balance density with generosity, creating a sustainable quarter that reduces land consumption and energy use, while offering spaces that foster community and simplicity. The ambition is to question excessive demands in housing and instead focus on the essentials, so that architecture becomes resource-conscious, yet atmospheric and inviting.

How can the spatial organisation strengthen both community and individual life?  At the heart of the design lies a connecting village street, punctuated by widening squares and nodes where public life unfolds. It becomes the shared stage for encounters, mobility and supply, while a green corridor along the river forms its calmer counterpart with gardens and fields for collective use. The houses open through large glass façades and surrounding balconies towards these public spaces, while private retreats are oriented inward towards sheltered courtyards, creating a clear rhythm between openness and intimacy. Similar to the layers of an onion, the spatial layout develops from the interior toward the exterior, transitioning from private to public.

Which materials and techniques support ecological responsibility and atmosphere? The project relies on a few but precise materials: massive unreinforced concrete shapes the interior with vaults and thick walls that store heat. At the same time, a light timber skeleton envelops the outside in open, sunlit structures. Both remain raw and visible, so that their character and craftsmanship are directly experienced. This deliberate simplicity reduces embodied energy, enables efficient spans, and creates a tactile honesty that reflects the project’s ecological and social aspirations.