MicaMore
Residential Complex
Master Thesis | Studio Tom Emerson
December, 2023
The project aims to enhance social structures within the Micafil residential development in Altstetten and improve living conditions in the dense complex. Key concerns included the lack of community spaces, access to the proper surroundings, and thermal comfort. The development, built by an Investor, exhibits heavy standardisation to maximise space and revenue, analogue to over 1500 other apartments in and around Zurich. Research revealed inequalities among apartments, particularly in the comb structure lacking lighting and privacy on lower floors. Inadequate units were removed, creating space for community and commercial areas, as well as new apartments with 6 rooms and more, to enable forms of cohabitation that are suited for the time being. As a result of overheating, as well as cold radiation from the glazed south facade, a winter garden layer was added to existing balconies. The lack of visual connection to the surroundings and lack of lighting was addressed by cutting windows and adding juliet balconies. To minimise environmental impact the existing structure's capacity for additional floors was explored. The extension added a single floor with apartments connected by an exterior passageway. The chosen volume maximized solar potential and lighting without casting additional shadows for the existing apartments below. Triple-glazed windows with movable solar shaders were installed, reducing the complex's energy consumption by 62% and nearly eliminating heating demand.