The competition brief asked for the conversion of a 1960s administrative building into a residential structure with 35 small units suitable for 1–3-person households. It also required the integration of shared atelier/coworking spaces and meeting rooms. These public functions occupy the former parking garage and are accessed through a central hall connected to the main residential staircase. Roof terraces with a summer kitchen round off the communal areas. The housing typology follows the logic of the existing structural grid. It introduces a north-facing access gallery, efficiently organised kitchen and sanitary zones, and a south-facing configuration of living and sleeping spaces that allows flexibility of use. Despite the compact footprint, each standard unit manages to offer two fully equipped, separable rooms and therefore a contemporary living arrangement.

Team JCFA: Julian C. Fischer

Consultants: Building services engineer, Dr. Illias Hischier, Zurich

Project: Conversion of an office building into 35 affordable apartments

Project No.: NO 7

Procedure: Open competition, 2nd prize

Location: CH, Basel–4058

Client: Kanton Basel-Stadt, Basel

Images: Office.JCFA, Atelier Aggeler

Collaboration: Atelier Aggeler GmbH, Zurich