Modulverantwortung: Peter Althaus
Lehrteam: Felix Wettstein, Stefan Wülser, Céline Bessire, Matthias Winter, Didier Balissat, Joni Kaçani
Assistierende: Olin Petzold

The master’s thesis marks the completion of the architecture programme at HSLU. Students are challenged to provide a qualitative and appropriate architectural response to a set task. The objective is to develop an independent and autonomous approach and translate it into an architectural project.

In the spring semester of 2026 (FS26), our focus will be on the former St. Klara women’s convent in Stans. With the end of convent life and the departure of the sisters, the task of finding an appropriate new use for the convent complex has been given to the foundation ‘Stiftung Kloster St. Klara Stans’. This resulted in a collaboration with the ‘Master KOLLABORATIVE RAUMENTWICKLUNG’ (Ko:Lab) at the HSLU in the autumn semester of 2025. The work done here will serve as the programmatic basis for the master’s thesis. 

In dialogue with the foundation and the Ko:Lab, we will explore spatial strategies, generate distinctive atmospheres, and develop concepts for engaging with the architectural structure of the listed building.  While the programme will focus on housing, we will critically and spatially question its meaning in our search for contemporary forms of living together. In this way, the circle is closed typologically, as monasteries are traditionally spatial expressions of specific ways of life and everyday rhythms. 

Although all students will receive the same assignment, they will be free to choose their supervisor. The professors will enrich the assignment with their own methodology and distinctive approach.