Friedackerstrasse Estate, Zurich-Oerlikon

"The two angled rows of buildings of the Strassenbahner building cooperative form a spatial unit together with the row of housing of the Letten residential building cooperative on Friedheimstrasse. The existing urban and architectural quality of the ensemble is still highly appreciated today..." (Excerpt from the program)

The new houses on Friedackerstrasse have to measure their urban quality against the existing buildings. This is a high aspiration - and the starting point of the design. Can this convincing ensemble be further improved? The proposed design is based on the conviction that it is good for our residential districts if the streets are appropriated more as communal places - and not only the courtyards and gardens behind the houses! Today, after half a kilometre, Friedackerstrasse succinctly ends in Friedheimstrasse. This situation however justifies a small square, which not only marks the beginning of Friedackerstrasse, but also gives importance to the ensemble of the assembled residential buildings. The residential square at the junction between the two district streets is both a meeting place for the residents and a gathering place for passers-by and residents of the district.