Boltshauser Architekten

Description

The two-story commercial building was built at the turn of the century like many other residential buildings in this quarter of Zurich. Roger Boltshauser stripped it down to the raw structure, built it back up and enveloped it. Through the main opening between the surrounding houses, one arrives at the front door, a closed brick wall with only a single portal including the entrance door and one window for each floor. Wide concrete bands run around the other three sides, framing the windows above and below. The windows above are a little narrower and taller while the lower floor windows are wider and shorter. Upon entering the building, the powerful external appearance is transformed into spatial pleasure. Earth covers everything: floors, walls, ceilings. Behind the front door and on the upper stair landing a “carpet” made of ornamental tiles receives the visitors. The stair features a rammed earth wall that shows the material in its original form. Here one can see the “dirt” from which the beautiful and unobtrusive interfaces emerge.