Bark Architekten . photos: © Elisa Florian
Located at the eastern end of a 1930s residential row in Zurich-Höngg, the house at Am Wasser 105 is perched above the Limmat River. Recently renovated and extended for a young family, the project combines thoughtful spatial adaptation with a strong commitment to energy efficiency. To meet additional space requirements, a new attic level was added as a lightweight timber structure atop the existing masonry building. This shift in construction technique is articulated through a deliberate contrast in façade materials.
On the river-facing side, a pavilion-like metal volume extends from the house, serving as a multi-level balcony and terrace. This addition not only strengthens the connection to the garden but also introduces a sculptural element to the building’s silhouette.
The material and color concept was developed in close collaboration with the clients. The aim was to foster a dialogue between preserved original elements and new interventions that are at times playful and expressive. The newly insulated façade is clad in vertically arranged, light green ceramic strips with a pronounced relief texture—a gesture that nods both to historical craftsmanship and contemporary design sensibilities.
Within the new roof structure, the master bedroom is conceived as a hotel-like suite, featuring an open-plan bathroom and dressing area. A large panoramic window—impossible within the constraints of the original building—opens onto a terrace. From here, expansive views unfold over the garden and down to the Limmat River, anchoring the space within its unique topographical and urban context.
Together, striped awnings and the wooden deck lend an almost maritime character, reinforcing the dialogue between the architecture and its riverside setting.
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Umbau REFH Am Wasser
Location:
Am Wasser, 8049 Zurich, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland
Client:
Private
Commission:
Core renovation and extension
Project Duration:
2021–2024
Photography:
Elisa Florian, St. Gallen
