The remit here was to construct three apartment buildings on a 6500m2 site. In accordance with client Kurt Compagnoni’s instructions, they were to be oriented in a manner sympathetic to the surrounding built environment, retain as many as possible of the site’s mature trees and its park-like character and follow the generous existing building spacing – in short, lots of greenery, lots of privacy and lots of natural light. And the entire complex was, of course, to present an upmarket appearance.

The low-density development provides a sensitive response to its surroundings. The location and alignment of the three blocks take their cue from other, nearby buildings. The blocks are spaced well apart amid the site’s gentle, flowing landscape, underscoring the development’s park-like feel, while nuanced planting between the buildings and the mature trees around the edge of the site evidences the high-quality design of the exterior spaces. Hedges of different thicknesses and flowering shrubs form natural boundaries between public and private spaces.

A shimmering presence amid a sea of green 
The development gives the impression of crystals shimmering in a sea of lush green, the hexagonal  footprint and hot dip-galvanised steel plate facades of the individual blocks presenting a striking appearance. Access to the 3.5-, 4.5- and 5.5-room apartments is via a spacious stairwell with no more than two flats per floor. Living room, dining area with attached kitchen and loggia form one open, light-flooded space. Most of the flats are south- and west-facing, while the ground-floor apartments have their own gardens providing a private outdoor space.