Hirtenweg Project: Balancing Density, Nature, and Community

Project Info

Project Name: Hirtenweg Housing Development

Architects: Studio Gugger

Developer: Immobilien Basel-Stadt

Location: Basel, Switzerland

The Hirtenweg project, located in Basel, Switzerland, redefines what affordable housing can be. Developed through a 2018 competition initiated by Immobilien Basel-Stadt, the project set out to address a pressing urban challenge: how to increase residential density while preserving the neighborhood’s character and natural surroundings.

Designed by Studio Gugger, the completed scheme comprises three new buildings arranged with sensitivity to their environment, carefully balancing public and private spaces while fostering a sense of belonging for residents.

Three carefully arranged buildings balance residential density with preserved greenery

A Vision for Affordable Housing in Basel

The project was conceived as a comprehensive renewal of an existing residential estate. Rather than simply replacing the old buildings, the design team took a holistic approach—integrating new housing with the area’s existing scale, natural elements, and neighborhood amenities.

The three-building layout was shaped by multiple considerations: overlapping setbacks to ensure privacy, preservation of mature tree clusters, optimal orientation for each flat, and the reuse of existing foundations. This thoughtful planning allowed for a smooth phasing process, enabling residents to remain on-site throughout the redevelopment.

Community life thrives in shared outdoor spaces designed for connection and play

Designing with Nature and Context

Nature plays a central role in the Hirtenweg project. The surrounding landscape is treated as an extension of the architecture itself, with wild meadows flowing from the protected slopes onto the residential plateau. These open green areas are punctuated by native perennials and shrubs, creating seasonal variety and ecological richness.

Mature trees were preserved wherever possible, and new plantings were introduced to strengthen the natural canopy. This combination provides shade, privacy, and a sense of retreat within the neighborhood garden, ensuring that residents remain connected to nature even in a denser living environment.

Timber façades of Hirtenweg highlight sustainability while blending into Basel’s urban fabric

Balancing Community and Privacy

One of the central design challenges was to accommodate the vibrancy of communal life while protecting residents’ need for privacy. The buildings achieve this through a careful layering of spaces:

+ Public areas are brought to life with activated circulation zones, including raised ground floors with staircases and arcades that encourage informal gatherings and play.

+ Private moments are created through thoughtful flat layouts, featuring entrance niches, offset loggias, and strategic window placements that balance openness with seclusion.

Even within compact apartments, diagonal sightlines and staggered connections create a sense of depth and spatial generosity. This approach makes every square meter feel purposeful and connected.

Circulation zones double as social corridors, activating daily interaction among neighbors

Sustainable and Phased Construction

Sustainability was embedded in both the construction process and the final design. Existing foundations were reused to reduce material waste and environmental impact. The buildings’ superstructures were prefabricated using modular timber, a method that minimized construction noise, sped up assembly, and enhanced sound insulation for residents.

Arcades and balconies are more than aesthetic features—they function as passive sun-shading elements, extending living spaces into the outdoors while improving energy efficiency.

Equally important was the phased construction strategy, which allowed existing tenants to move directly into the new buildings as they were completed. This thoughtful approach minimized disruption and maintained a strong sense of community throughout the transformation.

Bright interiors maximize space with smart layouts, ensuring comfort in compact living

An Urban Model for Future Housing

The Hirtenweg project is more than a collection of buildings—it is a model for sustainable urban living. By carefully balancing density, nature, and social connections, Studio Gugger has created an environment that supports both collective and individual well-being.

Through its sensitive integration of architecture and landscape, the project demonstrates how affordable housing can be both practical and poetic, setting a precedent for future residential developments in Basel and beyond.

Layered spaces with loggias and diagonal sightlines create privacy without losing openness