The competition entry for a new replacement building with rented apartments, which was awarded second prize, fits into the existing neighbourhood in Zurich Hönng through its individual formal idiom. Each apartment has its own identity and can be flexibly adapted to suit different needs.

Limmattalstrasse, Zürich, Fischer Architekten AG Zürich

As it is located on a south-facing slope with a view of Zurich’s inner city, Lake Zurich and the Limmattal Höngg is a popular residential district. The existing buildings on Limmattalstrasse could no longer meet the demands that are made on living space today. Against the background of the aim to make more intensive use of the site, a new replacement building was regarded as both reasonable and economically sensible.

The proposed building follows the existing topography and, in this way, generates interesting relationships between indoor and outdoor space. Through its individual formal idiom, the new building fits into this heterogeneous neighbourhood without pushing excessively into the foreground or appearing pretentious.

The floorplan layout is based on the idea of giving all apartments ideal orientation and light and making the best possible use of the given situation. Each apartment has its own identity and a flexible structure that allows a response to the various needs of the future residents – an open and flowing spatial concept that can meet present-day demands on living space.