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Confronted by an ever growing population, increasing the building density of existing housing development structures is seen as being the solution for ensuring sustainable urban development. The low rise typology makes an important contribution to the current discussion on building density. With its two to four storey buildings and private gardens, low rise structures provide a similar level of individuality to detached houses but require only a fraction of the land resources. They also allow for spaces that can be used by the whole community such as streets, alleys and squares.
This book investigates usage efficiency, residential density and area ratios of 55 selected low rise housing developments. Focus is placed on both architectonic qualities and the relationship of the figures revealed by the ground plan typology, distribution of dwelling types, housing development structure and circulation logic as well as the quality of private and public exterior spaces.
The book is a reference work for anyone interested in the topic as well as a planning tool for authorities, clients and architects who are interested in questions of housing development planning, the quality of living conditions and efficiency.
Each housing development is given three double pages and presented using text, plans, images and diagrams. The consistent and objective style of presentation makes it possible to compare the different case studies and gain an overview of the development of construction work during the 20st century’s history of housing development.

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CONTENT: Part 1
– Reto Pfenniger, Introduction
– Martina Desax: “Current housing development topics and possible solutions in Switzerland”.  
– Barbara Lenherr: “The development of low rise forms of housing development in Europe and in the USA”. 

Part 2: Catalogue of 60 housing developments:

Martina Desax (*1975), Dr.sc. ETH
Studied art history, communication and media studies as well as education sciences at the University of Basel. Doctorate at ETH Zurich, gta Institute, on the history of architecture. Researches, designs, speaks and writes on a self-employed basis for institutions, communication and architecture offices on topics such as architecture and urban development.

Barbara Lenherr (*1966), dipl. Architektin ETH
Studied architecture at ETH Zurich, wrote her thesis with Mario Campi. Has worked in various architectural practices in Basel and Geneva: Baur & Komai Architekten, Atelier d’Architecture Grenier & Vallat, Ackermann Architekten, Anarchitekton. Since 2000, she has undertaken editorial work, exhibition and event projects as well as research projects. Since 2002, she has worked as a freelance specialist journalist and editor. Since 2011, she has worked on publications of the Architecture Institute at FHNW as an academic member of staff.

Reto Pfenninger (*1963), Prof. dipl. Architekt BSA
Studied at Winterthur Engineering School and Academy of Fine Arts, Munich. 1992–2013 partner at agps.architecture office, Zurich. 2003–2008 member of Cityscape Committee Zug. Since 2006, lecturer at the Institute of Architecture at FHNW (2010– 2013 director of master’s degree programme, 2013–2016 director of institute). Since 2013, Hanspeter Oester Reto Pfenninger Architekten, Zurich.