The ETH Wohnforum, situated at the Department of Architecture at ETH Zurich, is a research and teaching entity that has been exploring the intersection of social practices and the built environment since 1990. Their primary focus is on housing and long-term housing production, aiming to contribute to a resource-saving and socially acceptable development of living environments.
The organisation's approach is interdisciplinary, combining socio-political and scientific-analytical processes to address housing issues. They engage in transdisciplinary work by involving a broad network of stakeholders, ensuring that their research and solutions are grounded in practical realities and user perspectives.
Key areas of expertise include basic and application-oriented research, dissemination of research findings through teaching, and broad-based knowledge exchange. Recent projects include the applied pilot project "Inclusion in the neighbourhood" and a dissertation on the use of public spaces, which examined the diversity of users in three public squares in Zurich.
The ETH Wohnforum also offers educational programs such as the MAS Housing, which explores how people dwell and live together, and hosts annual conferences, international lecture series, and smaller discussion groups. Their research spans local and global levels, addressing pressing issues in sustainable management of built space. Through their work, the ETH Wohnforum aims to contribute to a more livable and sustainable living environment.