Competition won: Fanzun to develop the Hanfländer housing development in Haldenstein

The jury praised it in clear terms: «EQUILIBRIO is an outstanding and innovative solution to the brief. From the overall settlement concept, through the outdoor space and the range of apartments, to the first structural considerations, a consistent theme is pursued that promises an exceptionally high quality of living.»

The «Hanfländer» area takes its name from the hemp cultivation historically grown on this land. «EQUILIBRIO» deliberately ties into this history: two rows of buildings form a spatial figure that tapers towards the north and enclose a generous communal courtyard – the heart of the development. The interior of the neighbourhood remains free of traffic. The delicate timber facade blends gently into the landscape, leaving open views of the village, the castle, and the Rhine.

Around two-thirds of the planned apartments are four- to five-and-a-half-room units for families, complemented by smaller apartments for couples, individuals, and older people. Maisonette apartments on the lower floors with their own garden access enable a full life cycle within the neighbourhood: those who move in as a family can stay in the same neighbourhood in old age and switch to a smaller apartment on an upper floor. This creates a neighbourhood where different generations and ways of living find their place.

The project is based on the SNBS building standard, Gold level. A groundwater heat pump provides the main source of heat, while photovoltaic systems on the roof and verandas ensure year-round self-generated electricity. Natural materials such as wood and clay define the interior, while extensive green roofs and decentralised infiltration areas shape the exterior.

The project will be realised in stages. In a first step, around 38 to 40 apartments will be built between 2029 and 2030. Further stages will allow for a gradual expansion to a total of up to around 100 apartments.

We would like to thank the Bürgergemeinde Chur warmly for its trust and Vogt Landschaftsarchitekten AG for the good collaboration. We look forward to the next steps.