Dissertation
Doctoral Student: Salome Schepers
In Switzerland, particularly in the greater Zurich area, existing buildings are under considerable pressure. Climate targets, housing needs, landscape protection and the pursuit of economic growth are driving large-scale densification measures and replacement campaigns. While architecture schools increasingly advocate for construction within the existing building stock, younger and youngest buildings are falling victim to demolition, often before being assessed for their cultural significance or potential preservation.
While in recent years, postmodernist and high-tech architecture have been re-evaluated for their heritage value, the question arises, as to which recent architecture should be given consideration next.
The dissertation examines buildings constructed in German-speaking Switzerland since 1987, focusing on their significance with regard to Analoge or Altneue Architektur founded by Miroslav Šik and taught at ETH Zurich. Assuming that the analogue design method still resonates today, the thesis explores two questions. On the one hand, it attempts to show how the intention of analogue design theory, a poetic mixture of old and new, was translated into buildings. Based on this analysis, it discusses the challenges of assessing the young building stock in terms of monument preservation. On the other hand, it examines the extent to which architects influenced by Šik’s design method have realised important projects in the existing built fabric.