Spring Semester 2024
Studio EAST, EPFL
During the Spring 2024 semester, Studio EAST examined the typology of Parking Garages — structures often regarded as purely utilitarian — and explored their untapped potential for transformation. The studio investigated how these often-overlooked buildings could be reimagined to meet the evolving needs of contemporary cities. Originally designed to accommodate a growing number of vehicles, parking garages now represent a valuable opportunity for adaptive reuse — offering generous spatial volumes, robust structures, and central locations that invite new programs and identities.
Research Phase
The first part of the semester was dedicated to a comparative analysis of 26 Parking Garages across Switzerland. Each structure was examined for its spatial logic, construction system, circulation patterns, and organizational strategy. Through detailed documentation — including plans, sections, axonometrics, and diagrams — students uncovered the underlying principles that shape these buildings. This analytical work not only mapped the architectural characteristics of the typology but also laid the groundwork for questioning its future potential. By quantifying and comparing these elements, the studio created a shared knowledge base to inform speculative transformations in the second phase.
Project Phase
Building on the insights gained during the research phase, the second part of the semester challenged students to reimagine the Parking Garage as a site for Housing. Each proposal began with a manifesto — a bold statement of intent — that framed a critical stance toward the typology and opened new trajectories for an adaptive reuse. Driven by the provocation “Design Nobody Asked For”, students questioned not only the function but also the form and cultural perception of Parking Structures. The aim was not to erase their identity, but to inhabit and reinterpret their logic in ways that accommodate domestic life. Rather than relying on large-scale structural interventions, projects focused on minimal yet strategic adaptations. Students explored how existing floor heights, ramps, and column grids could host new configurations of living — from communal units and collective spaces to hybrid programs that blend residential with cultural or commercial uses. Each intervention responded closely to the specific context of the site. Through narrative-based frameworks, students projected the life of these transformed buildings across time, imagining how they might gradually shift from car-centric to human-centered environments.
As part of the semester, Studio EAST hosted a Conference bringing together experts to dive deeper into the topic.
Stefan Rettich (University of Kassel) explored Urban Obsolescence – Automotive Infrastructure,
Simon Henley (Henley Halebrown, London) shared insights on The Architecture of Parking, and
Anne-Catherine Schröter (FHNW, Basel) presented on The Evolution of Parking Garages in Switzerland.
Their talks provided valuable perspectives and helped frame the design challenge, offering important context for reimagining Parking Garages and similar structures in today’s urban environment.
Final Critics guest:
Anne-Catherine Schröter (FHNW Basel)
Axel Humbert (BHSF Architekten, FHNW Basel)
Jan Theissen (AMUNT, EPFL)
Students: Alvaro Abba, Arthur Bürki, Alba Esteban Arteaga, Cecilia Gastaldo, Julien Genin, Iris Hansenne, Su Sie Keum, Nikolaus Knubel, Kewin Niewiarowski, Domingo Prada, Hannes Stikel, Sabrina Travaglini, Romain Unternährer, Sha Weiru, Luojia Zhang
Teaching Team: Martin Fröhlich, Lara Monti, Clemens Waldhart