The competition brief asked for the replacement of an existing residential building with 18 affordable apartments. Within the heterogeneous context of the Freilager area, the proposed project aims to assert an urban presence through its sculptural volumetric form and distinctive silhouette, despite its comparatively modest scale. Together with the adjoining commercial building part of the project site, the urban design establishes a shared inner courtyard. Responding to the specific context, a range of differentiated atelier-housing typologies occupies the ground-floor zones of both the existing building and the new volume. Although the regular apartments follow simple spatial configurations, they offer multi-sided orientations and generous views. Their layout enables multiple uses and supports a variety of ways of appropriation. The architectural expression is characterised by the idea of a mural-like building, defined by plastered wall surfaces in with different tonalities. Despite its restrained detailing, the project seeks a distinct identity, one that grounds the building within its context while fostering a strong sense of belonging for its residents.
Team JCFA: Julian C. Fischer
Consultants: Landscape architect, Studio Boden, Graz Structural engineer, EBP Schweiz AG, Zurich Building services engineer, Raumanzug GmbH, Zurich Electrical engineer, IBG Engineering AG, Winterthur Building physics, Raumanzug GmbH, Zurich