The former office building in Rüschlikon underwent a conversion. The commercial spaces were redesigned as living space. Storey heights that are greater than usual, large sliding window fronts with a view of the lake, and a simple, high-quality materialisation contribute to the attractiveness of the new apartments.

Weingartenstrasse, Rüschlikon, Fischer Architekten AG Zürich

Rüschlikon lies to the south of the city of Zurich, on the left shore of Lake Zurich. This former office building is part of a row of buildings that is separated from the village centre by the train line. The conversion – augmented by new commercial areas – is intended to generate attractive living space as a way of upgrading this cut-off district.

The apartments, eight in total, profit from an existing framework with a clear structure, which offers the flexibility required to optimise the individual floor plans. Generous sequences of space lead into an open living room with a view of the lake. The relationship to the lake is strengthened by wide sliding windows, large balconies and a new roof terrace that can be used by all the residents.

The new internal structure profits from storeys that are taller than usual and indicate the building’s earlier commercial use. The materialisation is simple: continuous parquet flooring made from long strips of merbau wood and the homogeneous ceramic tiling contribute to a cosy atmosphere. Finely graduated accents of colour upgrade the existing staircase. Above the plinth the new building envelope is made of natural slate.