Michael Meier und Marius Hug Architekten

Description

The former headquarters of Zurich Life Insurance Company is located on the wooded moraine hill that stretches from the historic centre of Wiedikon to Binz. Its relocation at the end of 2021 opened up the opportunity to realise residential buildings, which were occupied in 2024. A selective study contract was won for this project in 2019. The Uetliberg brewery was built on this prominent site in the 19th century. It was bought by Hürlimann, its direct competitor from the other bank of the Sihl, in 1921 and closed down. In the 1980s, the insurance company acquired the site and built its headquarters, which is now making way for the residential development. A belt walk leads around two elongated, multi-angled structures that embrace the hill and follow its topography. The result is a coherent and therefore defining landscape space – the forest garden. A filigree, bud-like balcony layer and a protective, reflective and bark-like ceramic façade translate the forest theme into the buildings and allow the living areas to flow seamlessly into the outdoor space. The internal structure of the buildings is organised orthogonally and contrasts with the complex building layout. A variety of residential typologies are created that appeal to a broad public and thus contribute to mixed use. Along Austrasse, a further building blends into the overarching urban structure of the houses along the street.