Switzerland's struggle: balancing architecture, densification and heritage

In Switzerland, the issue of unsightly towns or buildings is rarely addressed directly. Yet, the effort to minimise architectural ugliness is a genuine concern for local authorities and planning specialists. In France, the government has tackled the problem of "ugly France" by organising an annual competition, while Belgium has its own Instagram account showcasing "ugly Belgian houses." Across Europe, entire landscapes are often marred by urban sprawl. [instagram ugly houses] In Switzerland, the issue is approached more discreetly, with a few exceptions. One such instance was a 2018 competition by the Swiss boulevard newspaper 20 Minutes, which named a tower block in Zurich as the ugliest house. A building in Renens, in canton Vaud, the first from French-speaking Switzerland, placed eighth. When the Renens building was constructed, it was both praised by architects and opposed by the local community. However, Marc Frochaux, architect and editor-in-chief of Tracés magazine, believes ...