Prof. Roger Boltshauser
Visiting Studio of Architectural Design
Autumn Semester 2022, Master Diploma
My diploma project deals with the urban overlay and the heterogeneous building structure of the Neue Hard Areal in Zurich, up to an adequate handling of the existing building. The perimeter extends over the railway viaduct and Hardstrasse, as well as the Gerold and Josefareal. The project aims to find solutions for opening up the hermetic structure of the Neue Hard commercial building to the surrounding neighborhood, while also considering the context of the area’s past and current developments. The question how the hermetic structure of the Neue Hard commercial building can be opened up to the neighborhood and what answers can be found with regard to the current developments on the Gerold and Josef sites.
During the day, the track field south of the area heats up strongly due to the dark gravel, which has an effect far into the surrounding city quarters. It is important that the city can cool down again at night. This is supported by various wind currents that move into the city from the hills to the northeast and southwest. Due to the large, open area, the track field cools down relatively well again, while in the built-up areas the Heat Island effect comes into play. The heat accumulates between the houses and the lack of ventilation in the city keeps the temperature higher. Therefore, wind systems should remain largely unaffected and the inflow of cooler air into the built-up area should not be interrupted and, if possible, encouraged. The hermetically sealed commercial building from the 1970s, with its volume and orientation, not only prevents public accessibility and adaptability, but also the inflow of wind into the neighborhood. The urban development intervention is therefore directed towards optimising the orientation of the volume with regard to the wind flow. In the perimeter under consideration, the development concept of the Josefareal is adopted, two striking cross-buildings stretched between Josefstrasse and Neue Hard with a neighbourhood park in between. The most important topics of the test planning included the integration and networking of the Josef site into the neighbourhood as well as the internal structure with urban development and open space, but especially heat reduction. The development concept states the following points on heat reduction: In order to improve the currently poor ventilation of the area, open passages are needed. In general, the building position should be subordinate to this goal. The volumetric reshaping of the design is in line with these points, resulting in four east-west oriented ridges that are placed on a base floor.
One of the challenges we face is increasing resource consumption. To reduce environmental impact and increase sustainability, it is important to find ways to use our resources more efficiently. One way is through circular technologies, which allow us to reuse materials and reduce resource consumption. An example of this is urban mining, which involves recycling materials found in urban environments. This can help reduce dependence on primary resources and minimize resource consumption. Durability is also important, as systems must be able to function in a long-term, stable, and sustainable manner. This means they can adapt to changing circumstances and are durable. The project aims for climate-friendly building in terms of construction energy and the reuse of existing structures. Conversion involves transforming existing structures by demolishing some material and adding new material. Circularity and sustainability involve the direct reuse of existing structures, such as the concrete columns found here, and the reinterpretation of these structures to find innovative and resource-efficient ways of using them.
The existing concrete columns are cut out with a diamond wire saw, along with part of the slab, to ensure the static properties of the column-slab construction. Through a series of tests, a new construction principle is developed. The cut-out column can be reassembled with the transformed slab, which now acts as a kind of mushroom. The column is laterally halved for mass saving and to create multiple columns with a unique expression. The transformed columns are supplemented with a ceiling system that connects mechanically. The column is anchored by a steel shoe and topped with a wooden frame, CLT ceiling, and floor structure. The principle of cutting out is also used in the base of the volume, where ceilings are partially cut out to create new uses and a lower floor height. The concrete column is moved to the center and given a capital. The heavy appearance of the transformed columns in the base is balanced by lighter columns in the top storey. The transformed concrete column also plays a central role in the façade, acting as a static element for the arcade and a rhythmic element.
The design of the building reflects the theme of permeability and flow through its various programs and features. The ground floor is organized around three inner courtyards with decreasing levels of public access from left to right. It is completely filled with public spaces, while the mezzanine floor above has some public spaces. Entrances to the inner courtyards draw in urban space and expand the building. The ground floor is made attractive for public use with various amenities such as co-working spaces, a market hall, a cafe, retail stores, and a canteen. The rear, semi-public section on the east side houses the ZKB Start-up Lab, which serves as a link between the public and private spheres of the ZKB. The ground floor also includes office space for the Start-up Lab and the ZKB. The open floor plans on all floors promote mixing and permeability. There are two additional office floors above the ground floor, and above them are flexible live-through apartments and open studio flats designed for families and creative use. These flats are accessed through arcades and face east-west. The middle ridges with flexible flats and shared flats also have direct access to a green roof area. The live-through apartments have four rooms that can be completely closed or opened up with folding-sliding walls for cross-ventilation. The studio flats have a narrow, two-story open floor plan.
The design of the building reflects the theme of permeability and flow through its various programs and features. The ground floor is organized around three inner courtyards with decreasing levels of public access from left to right. It is completely filled with public spaces, while the mezzanine floor above has some public spaces. Entrances to the inner courtyards draw in urban space and expand the building. The ground floor is made attractive for public use with various amenities such as co-working spaces, a market hall, a cafe, retail stores, and a canteen. The rear, semi-public section on the east side houses the ZKB Start-up Lab, which serves as a link between the public and private spheres of the ZKB. The ground floor also includes office space for the Start-up Lab and the ZKB. The open floor plans on all floors promote mixing and permeability. There are two additional office floors above the ground floor, and above them are flexible live-through apartments and open studio flats designed for families and creative use. These flats are accessed through arcades and face east-west. The middle ridges with flexible flats and shared flats also have direct access to a green roof area. The live-through apartments have four rooms that can be completely closed or opened up with folding-sliding walls for cross-ventilation. The studio flats have a narrow, two-story open floor plan.
