UBC July 2024 - Construction

Photo Credit: Brett Jordan on Unsplash

Welcome back to July's UBC. This month I'm going to be talking about cultural differences between Switzerland and the USA.

Today's topic is construction. So much to talk about! Let's put on our hard hats and get to work!

Building Materials
Switzerland predominantly uses concrete and brick due to their durability and insulation properties.
In the USA wood and drywall are more commonly used, especially in residential buildings, because of cost-effectiveness and ease of construction.

Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
In Switzerland, great importance is attached to energy-efficient buildings, with many houses complying with strict environmental standards such as Minergie. The use of triple-glazed windows is common.
While energy efficiency is growing in importance in the US as well, standards vary widely. Double-glazed windows are more common than triple-glazed.

Heating Systems
Central heating is common in Switzerland, often through radiators connected to district heating systems or ground source heat pumps.In the USA central heating through forced-air systems is more common, with ducts running throughout the house.

Air Conditioning
I won't mention it again... But yes, many, many Swiss buildings unfortunately come without A/C.

Insulation
High levels of insulation are standard in Switzerland, with a focus on energy efficiency and sustainability to cope with the cold climate.
In the USA insulation standards vary widely by region and climate, with newer constructions increasingly focusing on improved insulation for energy efficiency.

Building Codes and Regulations
Switzerland has strict building regulations that focus on sustainability, earthquake safety and fire protection. In addition, homeowners must obtain a building permit for every planned change to their property. This is then published publicly and neighbors can - and will - lodge an objection. In addition to factual rules, such as how high a bicycle shelter may be, there are even regulations regarding colors, shapes and styles in certain zones. No concrete/glass palaces may be erected in the middle of the old town. 
Building codes in the US can vary significantly by state and municipality, with a focus on safety and energy efficiency, but with more variability.

Space Utilization
Due to the limited (and therefore expensive) space available in Switzerland, people rely on efficient use of space with smaller, more compact houses. Multifunctional rooms are common. You will also find higher apartment blocks in Switzerland, which also makes the best of the situation that there is little building land available.
In the USA you will usually find larger homes with more single-purpose rooms like separate dining rooms, family rooms, and home offices.

Outdoor Spaces
Balconies and terraces are common in Switzerland, especially in apartment buildings. Gardens are often small and well-maintained.
American homes often have larger yards and outdoor spaces, with an emphasis on lawns and outdoor living areas like decks and patios.

Basements
I can't think of a Swiss home that doesn't come with a basement. They are commonly used for storage, utility rooms, lauundry rooms and additional living space due to space constraints and building regulations.Here's something that might suprise you: Many Swiss homes, especially those built during the Cold War era, include built-in "bunkers". These bunkers were mandated by the government to ensure civilian protection in case of a nuclear or military attack. Located in the basement, they are equipped with reinforced concrete walls, airtight doors, and ventilation systems. Even today, Swiss law requires that there must be enough bunker space to accommodate the entire population of each village or town. While not every home has its own bunker, every resident is assigned a bunker space to go to in an emergency. People who take the barely existing threat very seriously will equip their bunker with considerable amounts of bottled water, non-perishable foods, medical supplies, hygiene products, communication tools as well as lighting and power sources.
Basements are less common in many US regions, especially in areas with high water tables. Where they do exist, they are often used as recreational spaces or additional bedrooms.

Roofs and Attics
Swiss buildings often have steeply pitched roofs to handle snow, with habitable attic spaces being common. Roof pitches vary widely depending on the US region. Attics are often used for storage and are not always habitable.

Urban vs. Rural Construction
Switzerland's urban areas feature more apartment buildings and mixed-use developments due to limited space. Rural areas still maintain traditional Swiss chalet styles. In the USA you will see a mix of single-family homes in suburbs, high-rise apartments in cities, and varied styles in rural areas, including farmhouses and modern homes.

Windows and Natural Light
In Switzerland you will notice large windows to maximize natural light, often with external shutters. In the USA external shutters, when functional, are used for protection against weather elements, but more commonly they serve a decorative role.

Shutters and blinds

Shutters and blinds are primarily used to protect against solar radiation, heat, cold and the effects of the weather. They are attached to the outside of the building and help to improve the energy efficiency of buildings by reducing heat loss in winter and keeping the heat out in summer. Shutters in Switzerland are often made of robust materials such as wood or metal and are fully functional (to open and close).Roller shutters or slatted blinds, which are operated manually or electrically to regulate light and heat, are common.
In many regions of the USA, shutters are mainly decorative and often have no functional role.The slatted blinds are often located inside the building. However, in certain areas, such as coastal regions, outdoor shutters are used as protection against storms and hurricanes.

Soundproofing

Higher emphasis is placed on soundproofing, particularly in multi-family buildings, due to denser living conditions in Switzerland.
Particularly in single-family homes in the USA, this is less of a concern. The advantage of this is that in cases of domestic violence, neighbors are more likely to take notice and call in the authorities..?

Kitchens and Appliances
Switzerland has smaller, more compact kitchens with high-end, energy-efficient appliances. Built-in appliances are common. The most notable difference in Swiss Norm appliances is the standardized width of 55 cm (21.7 inches), which is narrower than the standard 60 cm (23.6 inches) found in most of Europe and 30 inches (76 cm) in the USA. There are people who say that these measures were introduced on purpose so that manufacturers can push through their high margins in the Swiss market. This means that Swiss savers cannot buy their devices in Germany or France, which are close to the border. 

I find most Swiss kitchens impractical. There's not enough space for stowing, storing and working. The small fridges force us to constantly run to the shops. On the other hand, it wouldn't do us much good to buy lots of perishable supplies either. As discussed in a previous post, our food laws prohibit many ingredients, including certain preservatives, which is why we basically only shop for a day or two.

USA: Larger kitchens with more countertop space and bigger appliances. Standalone appliances are common.

Double Fridge

Swiss kitchens typically have smaller, built-in refrigerators to save space and improve aesthetics.
Of course you will find larger, freestanding double-door refrigerators in the US, reflecting the preference for larger kitchen spaces and bulk food storage.

Pantry

In Switzerland pantries are often compact and integrated within the kitchen cabinetry due to smaller living spaces.
As you know in the USA large, walk-in pantries are common, allowing for significant storage of bulk groceries and kitchen supplies.

So here's the million Dollar question: Do you think you could live without a double fridge and a pantry...?