Miller & Maranta: Seniorenresidenz Spirgarten - best architects 09

Miller & Maranta

Seniorenresidenz Spirgarten

best architects 09

other buildings

Place

Altstetten | Schweiz

Photos

Ruedi Walti

Description

The Senior Residence Spirgarten in Zurich-Altstetten is two-sided in what it wants to achieve. On one hand it looks for an independent and self-confident attitude that becomes the identity of the institution. On the other hand the residence plays with the reminiscence of the architecture of urban expansion from in the 1950`s, making it easier to integrate itself architecturally to the Centre of Altstetten. The new building reacts in its volumetric structure to the granularity and sizes of the neighboring developments. Facing Spirgartenstrasse there are narrow, five floored façades that embrace the entrance court. To Badenerstrasse the façade integrates itself into the existing development. The upper floors are organized with apartments on both sides of the corridor. The staircases open into areas offering seats with a view to the court. One enters the apartments trough an entrée. From here the bathroom, kitchen and the rooms that are connected among each other are reached. On the attic floor the intensive care unit is organized enclosing the courtyard to which the common dining area with its terrace opens.