Lütjens Padmanabhan Architekt*innen
Zürich, Switzerland
Oliver Lütjens and Thomas Padmanabhan established Lütjens Padmanabhan Architekt*innen in 2007. The practice has been recognized nationally and internationally for its innovation in affordable housing and its joyful embrace of the expressive challenges of contemporary construction. Their work spans a range of scales and typologies across three continents. Recent projects include the award-winning Waldmeisterweg low-cost apartment building in Zurich, the Zwhatt Sufficiency Housing Project in Regensdorf, the Unterfeld Lake Power Plant, the residential development Göbli in Baar, and residences for the Swiss ambassadors in Algiers and Bogotá. Lütjens and Padmanabhan have taught as assistants at ETH Zurich and served as guest professors at TU Munich, EPF Lausanne, and Harvard GSD. They are currently guest professors at ETH Zurich.
2025 Biennial Project
Project Overview
Zwhatt
Zwhatt is a linear apartment building developed as a pilot project to test the idea of “sufficiency”—using fewer resources while maximizing efficiency. Designed to be the most economical building in Switzerland, it offers four sizes of apartments, all with the same open layout. Each maisonette loft features a double-height space with a simple metal stair and, aside from a closed bathroom, has no internal dividing walls.
Previous work
Project Overview
Venue
View moreChicago Cultural Center
Address
78 E. Washington St., Chicago, IL 60602
Neighborhood
The Loop
Description
Completed in 1897 as Chicago’s first central library, the building was established as the Chicago Cultural Center, the nation’s first and most comprehensive free municipal cultural venue, in 1991. One of the most visited attractions in Chicago, the stunning landmark building is home to two magnificent stained-glass domes, as well as free art exhibitions, performances, tours, lectures, family activities, music, and more – presented by the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) and many others.
