Adrian Streich

Residential Development on Hohlstrasse and Freihofstrasse . Zurich

Adrian Streich Architekten . photos: © Roland Bernath

Hohlstrasse, Baslerstrasse, and Badenerstrasse, together with contiguous infrastructural buildings, large residential courtyards, commercial buildings, as well as small-scale structures, are anchored in the collective memory of the city of Zürich. In a smooth rhythm, these major axes subdivide the Letzi area of Zürich into well-proportioned urban units. Our project takes up the tradition of the large residential courtyard so typical of the vicinity. The unbroken development that runs along the plot boundary shelters the inner courtyard and residential units from street noise. Two head buildings bound a figure that encloses a spacious courtyard that is open toward the west. The ‘Freihaltezone’ (undevelopable) zone to the west and Letzi Park enhance the courtyard’s expansive feel.

The street side is linked to the courtyard and staircases via tall passageways and end-to-end entrance halls in the access level. This means that all units enjoy direct access to the common green space. On the access level, residential offerings are supplemented by an apartment type that combines dwelling with productive activity. A small area reserved for commercial utilizations is oriented toward the urban square on Hohlstrasse.

The complex features three contrasting types of units. In the south, apartments are grouped around open courtyards. Situated along Freihofstrasse are units that extend from the street all the way to the inner courtyard. The apartments in the head building on Hohlstrasse enjoy exposure on three sides.

Toward the south, either three or four apartments per floor are grouped around staircases that receive top lighting. Thanks to the incised courtyards, all units enjoy a southern orientation. Apartments are accessed from the staircases via a hallway. The heart of each unit is a spacious living and eating area. Available in order to accommodate disparate needs are separable eat-in kitchens and living areas with integrated kitchen units. Individual rooms are combined with bathrooms to form autonomous groupings. All apartments enjoy natural light from multiple directions. Above, setbacks facilitate the creation of spacious outdoor terraces for the upper levels.

Along Freihofstrasse, two apartments per floor are accessed via staircases with side lighting. Here, the apartments, which traverse the building front to back, are oriented toward Freihofstrasse and the park-style inner courtyard. The entry zone subdivides the continuous living area into an eat-in kitchen and a living room. Recessed zones along Freihofstrasse generate bay-window-style views of the street space. All apartments have semi-internal balconies facing the courtyard to the west.

As in the neighboring Gründerzeit properties, two units per floor are accessed from the staircase in the head building facing Hohlstrasse. The apartments traverse the building from Hohlstrasse to the courtyard, and enjoy natural illumination on three sides. Toward the south, the living and eating areas extend to an exterior space that faces the courtyard.

Accommodated on the ground floor between Hohlstrasse and the courtyard is a municipal kindergarten. Situated at the corner of Hohlstrasse and Freihofstrasse is the development’s common room. Situated on the ground floor level toward Freihofstrasse are apartments with workspaces, with the living space oriented toward the courtyard and a workroom set on the street side. Altogether, the development contains 173 units.

The project is Minergie-P certified, and gray energy use conforms to Minergie-Eco standards.
_