Design Studio
Spring 2023

ZumikonThe Last Farmer: The Transformation of Walter Senn’s Farmstead into a Communal FarmSofia Gloor and Till Blaser

Walter Senn, the last farmer of Zumikon, belongs to a generation that witnessed the transformation of Zumikon from a farming village to a sprawling residential settlement of wealthy citizens. In 2018, Walter Senn was forced to retire because he is no longer allowed to draw subsidies necessary for the business after the age of 65. This marked the beginning of an uncertain time for Walter Senn and the future of his farm.

We ask ourselves: how could Walter stay on his farm? The communal farm, a project that interweaves different actors and uses, such as, agroforestry, an educational centre and a housing project, might offer the possibility for Walter to continue to inhabit and work on the farm.