Two compact five-story residential buildings have been completed in Zurich-Altstetten, replacing aging 1940s housing with modern, flexible living spaces designed by Mathis Kamplade Architects. The innovative project, commissioned by housing cooperative Baugenossenschaft Halde Zürich, demonstrates how thoughtful design can maximize both space efficiency and resident adaptability while maintaining strict energy standards.
The new development at Kelchweg features 32 residential units replacing the original 15 apartments that previously occupied the site. The two building volumes are positioned at slight angles to each other, with diagonal corner entrances creating a recessed plaza situation accessible via a shared pathway from the street. This arrangement fosters a sense of community that extends across both buildings, encouraging residents to interact in the shared outdoor spaces designed by landscape architect Maurus Schifferli from Bern.
Constructed using timber frame technology on concrete foundations, the buildings showcase exposed wood throughout their facades, painted in contrasting white and red. The entrance areas feature terrazzo and concrete materials, while the stairwell cores are built entirely of concrete. Inside the apartments, residents can experience the timber skeleton structure firsthand, with wall elements covered in wallpaper, exposed wood ceilings, and light-colored screed floors creating a warm, contemporary atmosphere.
The project's most remarkable feature lies in its complex floor plans that can be adapted to residents' changing needs. While formally classified as 2.5 and 3.5-room apartments measuring 65 and 82 square meters respectively, movable walls allow these spaces to be reconfigured into compact 3 and 4-room units. This flexibility enables residents to choose between loft-style open living and efficient space maximization depending on their life circumstances, all while meeting cantonal housing development requirements.
Building systems have been reduced to essential components, incorporating heat pumps with geothermal probes and photovoltaic installations on green roofs. This streamlined approach to mechanical systems supports the project's energy efficiency goals while keeping maintenance costs low. The combination of sustainable construction methods and flexible living arrangements represents a forward-thinking approach to affordable housing that addresses both environmental concerns and evolving residential needs.
Photography for the project was completed by Seraina Wirz, documenting how the timber construction and thoughtful space planning create livable environments that can adapt over time. The successful completion of this replacement housing project demonstrates how Swiss housing cooperatives can effectively balance resource conservation, energy efficiency, and quality of life through innovative architectural design.
