Fruehauf, Henry & Viladoms . renders: © Filippo Bolognese Images
The Limmattal Valley is traversed by five elements that structure the development of the Zurich metropolitan area in a northwestern direction: the Limmat River, the railway, the highway, and two main cantonal roads on the left and right riverbanks.
A Landscape
The Dreispitz, or more precisely the planned high-rise on it, plays an important territorial role. The site is located at the intersection of Überlandstrasse, built in the 1920s, and Badenerstrasse, which leads into the heart of Zurich. It is situated opposite the Niderfeld development area, one of the last undeveloped plots in the city and a key part of Dietikon’s urban planning. The Dreispitz Tower will serve both as a symbol of the Gjuch neighborhood and as a landmark in the landscape, forming a gateway to Dietikon.
Morphology
The project evolves from the logic of the site. It extends the specific morphology of the existing buildings, which together form a complex whole. The low volumes and the tower itself embrace and reinforce this character. The arrangement responds to the site’s given conditions, ensuring permeability to connect the project with its context. It creates forms that provide protection against the disturbances of traffic from the surrounding roads. A balance between openness and enclosure is achieved. The project acts as a porous noise barrier. A semi-open, slightly elevated courtyard leads to a square that opens wide toward Badenerstrasse, benefiting from favorable sunlight exposure. As the heart of the complex, this Dreispitz Square will become a meeting place for residents, users, and neighbors.
The expansion integrates the existing structure. The densification of the site follows three strategies: utilizing the undeveloped northern section by adding one apartment per core, increasing the height of the existing structures, and extending a wing along Badenerstrasse. This southwestern section, at five stories, is the lowest. A principle of successive stepped terraces allows the building height to increase up to nine levels at its tallest section along Überlandstrasse. The resulting complex geometry enables a wide variety of apartment layouts.
The tower develops in a jagged form, responding to the geometry of the existing building. Its volume is refined at each floor through a series of successive setbacks. Beyond the intention of integrating into the immediate context, this morphology pursues multiple objectives. It enhances the verticality of the volume and creates a diverse architectural appearance. It also generates various orientations and apartment typologies. The floor plan is efficient: a single level contains up to ten apartments accessible from a single core.
Landscape
The new district structures the outdoor space into different areas through its built volumes: the neighborhood square, the city entrance/forecourt, the inner courtyard, and the park. The main goal is to assign specific zones to residents and passersby without separating them. Pathways, stair steps, and material transitions indicate different areas. Each zone has its own specific plants, ground textures, and elevation levels.
Along the entire Badenerstrasse, trees are planted along the roadside. A “gap” in the built structure is filled with a row of trees, creating a new reference point, inviting passersby to stop for coffee, and providing a sense of security under the leafy canopy. This forms a small, unexpected oasis with seating and a drinking water fountain. The adjacent high-rise “loses” its height in this space, as only the ground floor remains visually significant.
Four steps higher lies the inner courtyard. Benches and tables are arranged under mid-height trees. The fine gravel surface allows rainwater to seep in, slows footsteps, and offers a space for a round of pétanque. Neighbors from higher floors have the best view of the game.
Several pathways lead from the inner courtyard to the park on the north and east sides of the building. The boundary to the neighboring property could open up to create a large green area. Under the trees, table tennis can be played, and individual play equipment such as a swing or seesaw is available for use, while a picnic can take place alongside.
The area at the intersection of Badenerstrasse and Überlandstrasse has a distinctly urban character. A new address is created here, acting as a “landmark” for Dietikon—a new gateway to the city and its metropolitan area.
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Team
Architecture: Fruehauf, Henry & Viladoms
Engineering: Schnetzer Puskas Ingenieure
Landscape Architecture: Atelier ADR
Social Space Planning: Hasler / Schönenberger Sozial-Raum-Projekte
Sustainability: Gartenmann Engineering
