Swiss Lessons looks at Switzerland in the future, 2048: what will the architecture and the urban landscape look like in 35 years time. Based on projected figures from the last five years, the population is thought to increase to 15 million; even if growth is lower, demographic expansion will undoubtedly affect and transform the country's thus far unbuilt landscape and increase pressure on existing urban and rural areas, altering the infrastructure dramatically. This growth will inevitably lead to a re-defining of land classification across city, suburb, farmland, and wilderness. This research presents the findings of the 2013 research campaign of the Ecole polytechnique federale de Lausanne's satellite studio, Laboratoire Bale (laba), where students and teachers have been looking at Switzerland's current state and have then projected this forward to reflect urban and spatial development over the next 35 years. In addition to an abstract analysis of individual territories, students have created and designed specific urban interventions that test the results of that analysis. The research findings and student projects are presented in spectacular graphics and maps, striking visual images and plans.
