Im Herrlig. Im Herrlig is a post-war cooperative housing neighbourhood in Zürich Altstätten.
Im Herrlig.
It was built following the masterplan of Albert Heinrich Steiner, Zürich’s Stadtbaumeister at that time. Inspired by the garden city model, he designed the city expansion in the 40s’ and 50s’.
Im Herrlig. Postwar middle-class housing is quite peculiar in Switzeland: modernist architectural typologies are designed into 2-3 storey long pitched roof volume, which from the street appear as sweet Hüsli.
Im Herrlig. Once a peripheral area, today Altstätten is a new centre of Zürich and one of the most developing areas in Switzerland. Im Herrling is not enough dense for this location and it faces demolition.
Im Herrlig. Im Herrlig could be densified also without demolition. Questioning building regulations, we developed a masterplan where new volumes are added between the historical houses.
Im Herrlig. Together with the existing houses, the new towers create a series of dynamic outdoor spaces.
Im Herrlig. The towers are suspended on pilotis, the lot preserves its transparency.
Im Herrlig. Besides preserving the identity of the neighbourhood, the masterplan address also the climate adaptation of the area. With their shadows, the new volumes contrast overheating.
Im Herrlig.
How could one demolish these little houses?