Geroldstrasse
2008
Confidential
Zürich, Switzerland
Housing, Office, Retail, Leisure
54.000 sqm
Hosoya Schaefer Architects, Zürich
Direct commission
Mitsuhiro Kanada, Arup London
The client asked for an unusual concept for an unusual site.
Instead of designing another high-rise building in front of the Prime tower, we propose to design a group of linked towers. The plans of the individual buildings are simple rectangles located like a checkerboard pattern on the site. Together, the buildings create a variety of differentiated open spaces that connect elements of urban life like living, working, shopping or leisure. On the sloped roofs, private green terraces are exposed to the sun.
These “living courtyards” and “living roofs” create a safe and pleasurable public oasis as well as protected, luxurious private spaces. The “Gerold towers” should look homogeneous with different openings suggesting different programs and types of apartments. This new district would provide for new forms of living.
Rather than a large, continuous open area, the 30% open space required by code is divided to create courtyards, gardens, and a plaza facing the railroad station. The division of the building volumes allows for formal and informal uses. These activities encompass all elements of urban life.
A 90m interior passage is dedicated to shopping. To the south, a center of urban culture comprises a cinema, music, theater, art and a sports hall retaining the vibrancy of the current area.
Primary School Christoph Merian, Basel, 2019 –
Current phase: preliminary design
Airport Engadine, St. Moritz, 2020 –
Current phase: preliminary design
Mobility Hub, Zug, 2019 –
Future Parking Facility with retail component
Current phase: tender documentation
Station Square and Roof, Herisau 2015 –
Current phase: public vote
MEWA-Areal, Wädenswil, 2018 –
Transformation Project from the former industrial estate to the mixed-use development with housing
Current phase: framework plan
Viererfeld, Bern, 2018 –
Housing
Current phase: on hold
Office Renovation, Zug, 2020 –
Current phase: execution
House Renovation, Zug, 2020 –
Current phase: study
Salina Raurica / Salinenhofquartier, Pratteln, 2018 –
Current state: urban framework plan
Metalli, Zug, 2017 –
Current state: urban framework plan
Tech Cluster Zug, 2015 –
Current state: transformation plan
Elbinselquartier Wilhelmsburg, Hamburg, 2015 –
Current state: design guidelines
Bahnstadt Nürtingen, 2017 –
Current state: design manual
KNZ Wil West, Thurgau / St. Gallen, 2011 –
Current state: urban framework plan
Bell-Areal, Kriens, 2020 –
Current state: competition
Station Area Dietikon, 2019 –
Current state: study with recommendation for further development
Areal Dübendorf, 2020 –
Current state: study
Areal Oerlikon, 2020 –
Current state: study
Areal Dierikon, 2015 –
Current state: urban framework plan
Station Herisau, 2013 –
Current state: areal development
cividi gmbh – civic data intelligence, 2019 –
Digital tools for the analogue city
Current state: ongoing
The Industrious City – Book Publication, 2017 –
(Lars Müller Publishers)
Published in fall 2020
Workplace Area Development, Winterthur, 2019 –
Current state: ongoing
Network strategy 2040 and
future public transport 2050, Zurich
Current state: ongoing (with IBV Hüsler)