2026
Preliminary design for a single-family home in the Zurich Oberland region of Zurich
Preliminary design
"A plot of land is just a promise. What makes it a home is the house."
PHASE
Preliminary design
SERVICE
Architektur
DURATION
10 weeks
READING TIME
4-minute read
The concern
I own a plot of land, but I don't have a picture of the house.
What we did
Site analysis, three variants, preliminary design for the chosen one.
What was the goal?
Preliminary design that the owner understood.
What was the initial situation?
A plot of land is initially just a promise. What transforms it into a home is the house built on it, one that suits the people who will live in it. The owners knew their building site well but didn't yet have a concrete vision of what the house should look like and how it should function.
Three variants, three main focuses. For the first time, we were able to truly compare them.
Owner: Zurich Oberland region
What have we accomplished?
I proceeded in three stages. First, the site analysis with a view to building regulations, topography, development, views and privacy; then a massing study with three comparable variants that took into account different living preferences and orientations; and finally the preliminary design as a clear basis for the next step.
What was the result?
In the end, the owner not only had plans, but a decision they understood, and a plan that would allow them to confidently move into the next phase.
This is how the collaboration went
01
Get to know
Discuss the property, wishes and general conditions together.
02
Site and zoning analysis
Record and classify building regulations, topography and development.
03
Massing study
Develop and compare three variants with clear focus areas.
04
Preliminary design
Prepare floor plans, sections and views for the chosen variant.
05
Diploma
Complete preliminary design handed over, next phase initiated.
Plain text from the project
The preliminary design is the most cost-effective phase for reconciling wishes with building regulations.
What was the added value for the customer?
clarity
They know what the property is truly capable of.
Variant comparison
Three variants with clear focuses.
Reliable preliminary design
Basis for the next phase.
From wish to planning
A smooth transition into the planning phase.