squadra . photos: © Alessio De Gottardi . © David Schönen . © Luca Bazelli for Maison Shift
Numerous artists and cultural workers have been active in the listed Zeughaus 4 building on the Zurich barracks area since the beginning of 2023. With the departure of the cantonal police force, the site is now open to the public and will be in temporary use until 2026. From January–May 2023, the architecture collective squadra created workspaces for the association Maison Shift on the upper floor of the armoury.
The space serves as a meeting and exchange point for fashion designers who are driving the textile industry towards having a more sustainable approach. The architects rigorously implemented sustainability in the design and construction process, designing and building directly on site. This approach allowed flexibility in the design that was necessary for the consistent reuse of found components. Materials that were already available on site were reused: The panels from the old police firing range repurposed as shelves and counters. Former tyre racks were turned into storage walls and furniture. All components can be again removed and passed on.
The project is characterised by an open process, both from the perspective of the architects and craftspeople, but also from the commissioning association. The concept of a final product does not apply here; rather, the project is defined by its continual evolution.
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Maison Shift, Kasernenareal Zürich, 2023
Luca Bazelli, David Moser, Lian Liana Stähelin, Alessio De Gottardi and Thierry Vuattoux
with Andrea De Gottardi, Ella Eßlinger, Grace Oberholzer, Jasper Engelhardt,
Julian Märkel, Norma Clematide, Romain Iff and Sophie Keel
photos: Alessio De Gottardi, David Schönen and Luca Bazelli for Maison Shift
