Standard Real Estate for Working & Living

Question 1

How has residential real estate evolved historically?

Answer 1

• transition from sedentary nomads to agriculture
• separation of living and working
• emergence of privacy as a core feature
• development of a housing market in the 19th century
• urban living characterized by stacked living and dictated density

Question 2

What are modern influences on housing culture?

Answer 2

• social developments, technological advancements, and changing lifestyles
• dominant themes: efficiency, sufficieny, consistency

Question 3

What are common typologies in residential real estate?

Answer 3

stacked living: multi-loader layouts, comb designs (e.g. townhouses, row houses)

Question 4

What is the significance of efficient floor planning?

Answer 4

• maximizes space utility while minimizing waste
• considers standardized definitions (SIA 416) for area calculations

Question 5

What are the current challenges in Switzerland’s housing market?

Answer 5

• uneven supply-demand dynamics in good locations
• faster price growth for condominiums than single-family homes
• pension funds must invest no matter the price (due to regulations) -> killing the market
• not much building because of too strict/many regulations, zoning, Einsprachen etc.

Question 6

What are the three factors influencing sustainability of buildings in particular?

Answer 6

• density (D)
• mobility (M)
• construction (C)

=> DMC index shows how sustainable a property is and room for improvement

Question 7

What are the 5 types of density?

Answer 7

• building density (FAR, e.g. around Bellevue almost 3)
• people density
• emotional density (e.g. in Ticino everything is beautiful, palm trees, good feeling etc.)
• cultural density

Question 8

What are the three factors influencing sustainability of communities in particular?

Answer 8

• density (D)
• mobility (M)
• mixed use (U)

=> DMC index shows sustainability of community and improvement potential

Question 9

What are the three sustainability strategies?

Answer 9

• efficiency: minimizing resource use
• sufficiency: avoiding overconsumption
• consistency: using green technologies that align with ecosystems (e.g. solar roof)

Question 10

Examples of densified housing designs?

Answer 10

• point houses: minimal visibility into private areas
• long houses and row houses: compact yet functional layouts

Question 11

What megatrends are influencing urban living?

Answer 11

• demographic shifts (aging population)
• increased individualization and flexibility in lifestyles
• rise of connectivity, automation, and big data usage

Question 12

What changes are expected in workspaces?

Answer 12

• increased use of coworking spaces
• emphasis on health, sustainability, and work-life balance
• trends like walking-friendly designs and decentralized offices

Question 13

What are challenges in office real estate?

Answer 13

• volatility tied to economic cycles
• high-yield opportunities lead to overproduction

Question 14

What risks do developers face in residential real estate?

Answer 14

• planning without target groups
• overcapacity in “B” locations with lower demand
• no market potential in “C” locations
• low returns in “A” locations because of low risks

Question 15

What is the value of mixed-use communities?

Answer 15

• combines residential, commercial, and recreational spaces
• reduces commuting times and enhances urban efficiency

Question 16

What are examples of traditional mixed-use designs?

Answer 16

• old townhouses with shops/workshops on the ground floor
• Parisian apartments with arcades and roof mansards

Question 17

How is technology shaping real estate?

Answer 17

• smart home systems enable energy efficiency and customization
• big data informs urban planning and optimizes foot traffic in cities

Question 18

What societal shifts are driving real estate trends?

Answer 18

• fewer traditional families and more single-person households
• increased demand for adaptable and modular living spaces

Question 19

What does sustainable standard real estate mean for us?

Answer 19

high profitability thanks to:

• flexibility of the building structure
• crisis-resistant user mix
• new technologies
• new materials

Question 20

What is the future of urban real estate?

Answer 20

• focus on sustainable and high-quality urban living
• reintegration of living and working spaces
• promotion of flexible and inclusive housing models

Question 21

What is the 2000-Watt Society?

Answer 21

a vision for sustainable energy use, aiming to reduce per capita energy consumption to 2000 watts without compromising quality of life

Question 22

What are the guiding principles of the 2000-Watt Society?

Answer 22

• sufficiency: reducing unnecessary energy consumption
• efficiency: using advanced technologies to do more with less energy
• consistency: switching to renewable and sustainable energy sources

Question 23

What challenges does the 2000-Watt Society face?

Answer 23

• dependance on fossil fuels for transportation and heating
• high energy consumption in urban areas and inefficient older buildings
• resistance to behavior change and high initial costs of retrofitting