Conen Sigl Architekt:innen
Living at Westhof, Hochbord, Dübendorf
best architects 24
multi-family homes
Place
Zurich, Switzerland
Studio
Photos
Roman Keller
Description
The housing project with communal uses was built on
the site of a former market garden. The centrepiece is a communal courtyard,
which is formed by three building sections. The building at the head of the
ensemble turns slightly to open up the courtyard to the neighbourhood. A narrower
wing shields the ensemble from the noise of the train tracks by means of an
identity-forming, soundproof glazed pergola structure on the third floor. Finally,
the main building faces across the railroad line towards a nature reserve. On
the flat roof of the wing building, a semi-public level has been created as a
meeting place for the entire neighbourhood. A public staircase provides direct access
to the courtyard. The volumetric configuration defines different outdoor spaces
with specific qualities. To the north and south, there are a multipurpose hall
and a bistro that serves as a neighbourhood meeting place. In the west there
are community gardens for the residents. References to the former gardening
business and the commercial past are incorporated into the architectural design,
prompting the choice of robust and simple materials. The balcony layer facing
the inner courtyard forms a filigree plane, which gives the house its subtlety.
The project allows for affordable, self-managed and sustainable living and
working for a variety of uses and a mixed resident population.