Blaesi House & Studio, The location and minimal dimensions of the given plot in the middle of dense Kleinbasel, as well as the related (building law) framework conditions, noticeably shape the residential building. In accordance with the character of the multi-layered neighborhood, four small apartments and a ground-floor studio are realized:
© Rory Gardiner
The standard apartment is characterized by a simple, open floor plan, which is fluidly modeled around the eccentrically placed core. In the form of an inner circulation, functionality is combined with a perceived generosity in a small space, and the limits of conventional spatial proportions are explored. The spatial vessel, framed with painted industrial masonry, with its horizontal spaces accompanying the two facades, finds its external counterpart in ribbon windows.
© Rory Gardiner
On the south side, with the help of large lift-and-slide windows, they transform the dining and living area into the light-flooded loggia. While the standard apartment develops into area, the penthouse expands vertically with and within the striking open core.
© Rory Gardiner
The studio is perceived as a pierced spatial unit, but functions analogously to the maisonette attic apartment disentangled over two floors. By connecting the ground-level meeting area via a staircase to an overheight workspace in the basement, the permissible building profile – already limited by the angle of light incidence – can only be fully exploited.
Project Info
Architects: Wallimann Reichen
Country: Switzerland, Basel
Area: 450 m²
Year: 2021
Photographs: Rory Gardiner, Ivo Stani, Lukas Kissling
Madeline Brooks is a Projects Editor at Arch2O, where she has been shaping and refining architectural content since March 2024. With over a decade of experience in editorial work, she has curated, revised, and published an array of projects covering architecture, urbanism, and public space design. A graduate of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Madeline brings a strong academic foundation and a discerning editorial eye to each piece she oversees. Since joining Arch2O, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the platform’s editorial direction, with a focus on sustainability, social relevance, and cutting-edge design. Madeline excels at translating complex architectural ideas into clear, engaging stories that resonate with both industry professionals and general readers. She works closely with architects, designers, and global contributors to ensure every project is presented with clarity, depth, and compelling visual narrative. Her editorial leadership continues to elevate Arch2O’s role in global architectural dialogue.