Residential building Du Lac, St. Moritz

Alpine residential building with innovative timber construction

The new residential building completes the urban development of the Du Lac site, which has already gained a more striking presence thanks to the new retirement centre. The design features a six-storey, articulated structure that blends harmoniously into the topography and the built context. While the ground floor appears as a solid plinth, the façade design in timber construction gives the building a graceful expression and at the same time reflects the internal construction.

With the exception of the basement, the ground floor in contact with the earth and the stiffening staircase core, the structural concept is based on a visible timber construction with cross-laminated timber ceilings activated in the secondary load-bearing direction. This construction method creates a warm, inviting atmosphere and is based on a simple, consistently developed structure.

The floor plans were designed to maximise flexibility in the housing and usage mix. As a result, the building can fulfil a wide range of needs - from individuals to families to collective housing.

The project makes a significant contribution to St. Moritz's urban development while meeting the stringent Minergie P ECO energy standards. By creating urgently needed, attractive, and affordable living spaces, it addresses current social and ecological challenges, setting new benchmarks for contemporary, sustainable alpine living.

Credits
Study contract after prequalification, 1st prize 2024
Client: Municipality of St. Moritz
Architecture / general planning: Bob Gysin Partner + Mierta & Kurt Lazzarini Architects
Construction management: Archobau AG, Chur
Civil engineer: Basler & Hofmann AG
Engineer timber / fire protection: Timbatec Holzbauingenieure Schweiz AG, Zurich
Building services: Züst Ingenieurbüro Haustechnik AG, Grüsch
Electrical engineer: Marquart Elektroplanung + Beratung AG, Winterthur
Visualisation: Renderisch, Zurich