“Smetterling”: a co-operative project by HGW for the Alpenblick site
With the "Smetterling" project, the Heimstätten-Genossenschaft Winterthur (HGW) is realising a cooperative housing project in the Alpenblick area. The project strengthens the Niklausen neighbourhood and focuses on communal spaces, sustainable construction and harmonious urban integration. The winning project was designed by architects Hinder Kalberer.
The Alpenblick site in Schaffhausen, adjacent to the historic Niklausen neighbourhood, will be redesigned by the end of 2027 with the winning project “Smetterling”. The jury, consisting of representatives from the city of Schaffhausen, HGW, the neighbourhood and neighbourhood meeting place nik. as well as independent experts, praised the project in particular for its precise urban design and the clear zoning of the open spaces. The compact design of the building and its harmonious appearance fit in perfectly with the surroundings and create a link between the listed Niklausen single-family house estate and the neighbouring high-rise building.
A concept that promotes community
The “Smetterling” project envisages a tall point building that takes up very little of the surrounding area and marks the transition to the taller houses on the opposite side of the street. The positioning creates two different open spaces. A garden space to the west and an urban space to the east. This arrangement encourages social interaction while at the same time preserving the residents’ privacy.
The project reflects HGW’s co-operative values by creating communal spaces in addition to living space, thus promoting a lively community life.
The ground floor of the building will house communal areas such as a laundry room, a co-working space and a commercial space. The upper floors offer 20 flats of different sizes, while the top floor comprises five one-bedroom flats with direct access to the roof garden. The spacious communal areas and the roof garden offer many places of retreat, but also opportunities for neighbourly interaction and the creation of social interaction.
Wood and recycled concrete
The winning project favours an ecologically sustainable construction method. The clear, simple geometry of the building also contributes to energy efficiency and makes the project a role model for ecological construction.
HGW Heimstätten-Genossenschaft Winterthur has been creating affordable living space since 1923 and promotes lively community life and innovative solutions. With over 2,250 flats and more than 5,000 residents, it is the largest independent housing co-operative in the region.