The Swiss practice Wiel Arets Architects protects the interior space from the rough reality of the area through applying relief to the metallic facade and a buffer space between interior/exterior through terrace in all the apartments. The five upper floors are reserved for apartments while the ground and first floors are equipped with high spatial flexibility to accommodate all future offices and businesses that want to establish their headquarters in the building.
Description of the project by WAA
Blumenhaus is located in the Escher-Wyss district of Zürich–a 'rough' area of the city and one of the most urban spaces in Switzerland. When juxtaposed against the backdrop of Zürich's center, relics from the city’s industrial past characterize this neighborhood. Steps away from the Hardbrücke transit station; the area is currently being redeveloped to incorporate extensive residential units, alongside more commercial spaces, such as restaurants and cafés. Reflecting the project's immediate surrounding, its raw matte-aluminum façade is accentuated by cutouts and reliefs, shielding the interior from this ‘rough’ exterior condition. The silhouettes of this ornamentation playfully recalls those of poppy flowers. The ground floor façade has been kept free on three sides, which maximizes street-facing frontage, and ensures the ground and first floors remain flexible–anticipating accommodation needs of future offices and retail. The building is thus approached from numerous angles: through its parking garage and its gated north and south entries, for residents, and through its retail spaces. Numerous cloverleaf columns are found throughout the interior, echoing exterior ornament, while a concrete staircase spirals throughout the lobby. The top five floors all contain apartments, all of which are oriented in at least two directions; with either a north-south orientation, or with an exposed corner–with most living spaces situated along the southern façade. Loggias wrap the three free façades, functioning as balconies, while floor to ceiling glazing with oversized opening elements prelude exterior spaces, to allow for 'loggia living'.
CREDITS. DATA SHEET.-
Architecture.- WAA.
Project team.- Wiel Arets, Alexis Bikos, Tieme Zwartbol.
Collaborators.- Dunja Nedjar, Aline Amore, Boris Wolf, Felix Thies, Marcos Romero, Jelle Homburg.
Consultants.- Eichenberger AG, Gruenberg+Partner AG, BB & A Buri Bauphysik & Akustik AG, Gutknecht Elektroplanung AG, Hager Partner AG
Location.- Schiffbaustrasse 7, 8005 Zürich, Switzerland.
Dates.- 2011-2014 (design), 2014-2016 (construction).
Surface.- 4.500 sqm.