34 residential units are to be built on a slope

The building application for the Utigen/Rägeten residential development on a steep slope in Walchwil is now open for public inspection until 12th November. The concept includes so-called ‘terraced houses’, multi-family and single-family houses, and a two-family house.
 

Construction profiles tower above the upper part of the Oberdorfstrasse in Walchwil – they are impossible to miss. What’s going on here? A look at the current building applications submitted to the municipality reveals that this is to be the location of the new Utigen/Rägeten residential development. The developers are the ‘Konsortium Utigen/Rägeten’, comprising Rust Immobilien AG and PRG Immo AG. The building application can be viewed at the municipal office until the 12th November, and any objections to the project can also be submitted until then.

But what exactly will the residential development comprise? Shalom Imhof, architect at Amrein Herzig Architekten AG from Baar, the designers of the project, explains: ‘The aim is to create a mixed residential development on the steep slope that blends in harmoniously with the landscape.’ The concept divides the buildings into four groups, and includes terraced houses, multi-family and single-family houses, and a two-family house.

He explains further: ‘Terrace houses are a type of construction suitable for steep slopes. They make use of the topography, as they are arranged in a staircase-like formation, with each of the three apartments planned for each house having a terrace with a great view.’ The terrace houses are to be arranged in a strip above the Oberdorfstrasse, and would therefore have to be offset horizontally by at least three metres per floor.

Open spaces to be relieved of traffic
‘The development will ultimately offer 34 residential units. Three of these units are planned as single-family homes and two units in a two-family home,’ says Imhof. The apartments will have a varying number of rooms.

No statements on the planned rental or purchase prices can be made at this stage. ‘Information on prices can only be provided as the project progresses after the approval phase has been completed,’ says Shalom Imhof. Consequently, it is not yet possible to say whether apartments in the affordable segment are planned for the development.

The construction profiles are in place: the new Utigen/Rägeten residential development is to be built on the Oberdorfstrasse in Walchwil                        Photo: Jakob Ineichen
Terraced houses are planned for the development in Walchwil. They have a staircase-like design, suitable for steep slopes.
Attractive meeting areas are intended to promote social interaction among the residents of the development.
Each of the apartments in the terraced houses will have a terrace with a great view 
Visualisations: Nightnurse Images AG / zvg
 

He says the following regarding the parking concept: ‘Shared underground parking garages are planned for the buildings, and traffic will be directed to collective garages as early as possible.’ This is to relieve the open spaces of traffic and reduce above-ground parking spaces to a minimum.

The focus is on a natural design
The aim is to create a uniform, high-quality development concept. ‘Attractive meeting areas (Begegnungszonen) are intended to promote social interaction among the residents,’ says Shalom Imhof. In addition to high-quality open spaces, the architectural firm from Baar is also focusing on a natural design. ‘Extensively used meadows border the hillside site, and continue into it,’ he continues.

The plans also envisage that a stream that has been brought back to the surface will develop into a distinctive small body of water in the open space of the development. Natural embankments and native wild shrubs are also planned. ‘The Utigen/Rägeten development will be accessible via a network of paths, comprising both the main access road and additional footpath connections,’ explains Imhof.

A timetable for the construction project cannot be determined at this stage. ‘The next step is to obtain planning permission and deal with any objections,’ he concludes.

For more information about the development project (in German):
https://www.neubauprojekte.ch/listing/kaufen-mieten/zug/walchwil/wohnueberbauung-utigenraegeten/