Martin Schuldt
Zürich supreme. RWTH Aachen (Germany)
The task was to develop a housing complex with private, introverted exterior spaces.
The site is close to downtown Zurich in a high-quality neighbourhood with adjacent park. The sloping situation offers a magnificent view on the town. The nearby Limmat riverfront is a highly attractive recreation area.
In order to give every unit its own view on Zurich, the 67 units are arranged in a high-density complex oriented in rows along the topography. Every unit is an individual, ground-standing house, in which the desire for individuality and introversion of the dwelling and its associated outside space is realised.
The introversion and thus the identification of each inhabitant with “their” home is produced in two levels, in two facades:
The whole complex appears closed to the exterior, especially to the passing main road, due to the overlapping, scale-like side walls protecting the stairs leading to the inner alleys.
The next level is represented by the individual house with its entrance within the alleys.
The superelevated last row with the largest units accommodates special functions like a swimming pool. Cars can be parked under ground right under the individual house with direct access.
The high density of the complex is broken up by various alleys, spaces and small inner places.
The three housing types are based on one basic type. In their front part, the houses dissolve into an annex with roof garden and an inner court. The units open up to that inner court. The split levels give a lot of transparency to the inner spaces, thus appearing spacious in spite of the small surfaces.
The introversion of the unit decreases with every level, starting with the sleeping rooms which are completely oriented to the inner court and culminating in a magnificent view on Zurich from the living room.
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