ABZ Estate Balberstrasse, Zürich

The design reacts to the existing structure of the detached individual buildings. Eight identical, carefully placed volumes redefine the street space with their precise edges. The playful tension between opposite façades, corresponding to each other with alternating turns, gives the new quarter identity and character without dominating the typology of the location.
The slightly offset buildings and their topographical staggering create the desired landscape permeability in the quarter as well as exciting space sequences. Residents can thus repeatedly enjoy varying perspectives and attractive views into the distance. Another elongated building forms the volumetric Vis á Vis to the existing kindergarten. The common areas with music room and multipurpose room are located on the ground floor. With children’s play areas and green hedgerow rooms, the spacious plateau in the east becomes a new neighbourhood square, freely accessible from all sides.
The concept of the settlement is based on a harmonious integration into its green environment. Under the premises of utilization, design and ecology, the precise spatial qualities and the clearly formulated transitions give the settlement a strong identity.