Villa Urbaine / Urban Villa: L'Exemple Lausannois / The Lausanne Example

The typology of the townhouse originated in the late 19th century yet still represents a viable and attractive alternative to the detached single-family home. Several apartments spread across up to five floors are connected by a common staircase. In terms of urban planning, this type of structure makes it possible to reconcile dense urban settlement with open green spaces.
Specially commissioned photographs and plan drawings of eight exemplary Lausanne townhouses illustrate texts written by international authors, who unfold the theme in its worldwide relevance.

With contributions by



Martine Jaquet
Vittorio Magnago Lampugnani
Luca Ortelli
Jonathan Sergison
Martin Steinmann
Oswald Mathias Ungers
Filip Dujardin (photographer)