Buildings shape the appearance of our landscape and those outside the building zone in particular contribute significantly to the identity of the landscape. Based on research conducted by the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts on building culture outside the building zone in the canton of Lucerne, the Department of Spatial Planning and Economic Development has worked with interest groups to draw up binding design guidelines. The aim is to strengthen the identity of Lucerne’s cultural landscape. [Joint press release with the Canton of Lucerne]
Image: Sensitively renovated residential and farm building, based on the existing building (Source: Roman Hutter Architektur, photographer: Markus Käch) The diverse landscape and cultural conditions in the canton of Lucerne have led to the development of different types of farmhouses. The regionally varying styles of Lucerne farmhouses have a significant influence on the appearance of the landscape. In order to further develop this quality, new buildings or conversions of buildings outside the building zone should be integrated as harmoniously as possible into their surroundings. With the adoption of the counter-proposal ’Lucerne Cultural Landscape’ on November 29, 2020, the preservation and enhancement of the landscape was also included in the Planning and Building Act. Based on research results from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, the Spatial Planning and Economics Department has laid down binding design guidelines for building outside the building zone. The aim is to preserve and selectively improve the qualities of the cultural landscape of the Canton of Lucerne. The buildings should consciously differ from the architecture within the building zones and be oriented towards the regional building culture outside the building zones.
Binding basis with numerous illustrations
The new design guidelines set out minimum design requirements for functional and landscape-friendly solutions. Numerous illustrations of positive and negative examples clarify the written specifications and show the preferred variants for façades, building shapes or landscape design, for example. In this way, the guidelines promote planning security and support developers, planners and municipalities in developing good solutions. The design guidelines for building outside the building zone replace the existing ’Guidelines for the design of buildings and facilities outside the building zone’ and come into force on July 1, 2026. They serve as a binding basis for the building permit process.
Broad-based research
The design guidelines were developed in close collaboration with Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts. On behalf of the Department of Spatial Planning and Economics, the University first examined the typical regional characteristics of residential buildings outside the building zone in the canton of Lucerne and developed the guidelines on this basis. Representatives of the Lucerne Farmers’ Association (LBV), the Association of Lucerne Municipalities (VLG), the Association of Lucerne Municipal Engineers (VLGI), the Central Switzerland Heritage Society (IHS) and the Central Switzerland section of the Swiss Society of Engineers and Architects (SIA) also contributed to the development process.
Pilot project building consultation and assessment of building outside the building zone
The assessment of buildings outside the building zone using the binding design guidelines is carried out by the respective municipality for zoned building projects, while the Spatial Planning and Economics Office (rawi) is responsible for non-zoned building projects. In order to avoid contradictory appearances in the same landscape area, it is now to be examined whether a specialist committee can carry out the assessment in both cases instead. In mid-2026, a pilot project will be launched within the UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch, accompanied by the HSLU and supported by the Association of Lucerne Municipalities (VLG) and the Canton of Lucerne. The pilot project is based on findings from a HSLU research project on building consultations in municipalities. The results are expected in 2028.
