As the buildings on the former Siemens site in Zurich’s Albisrieden district became obsolete, a fundamental transformation of the area was initiated. Parcels of land were sold successively, and new buildings were constructed by different owners. In view of this, the Yond project was conceived as a hybrid of offices and small local industries in order to prevent them from being banned to the periphery and to preserve the unique character of the site, intrinsically linked to its industrial history. A number of small businesses such as a local gin producer, a mineral water producer, an Italian pasticceria and e-bike dealers are just a few examples of the colourful mix of tenants.
It was also a challenge to redefine the role of an industrial and corporate building developed in the midst of a changing urban suburb. With this in mind, the open space had to be designed in such a way as to ensure that connections within the area and the urban fabric would be reinforced. In contrast to the large, hermetic footprints typical of industrial typologies, the Yond project is strongly interwoven with the neighbourhood through generous pathways, with cutouts on the ground floor to ensure the informal pedestrian crossings characteristic of the area.
The porosity of the volume by means of various courtyard-like openings in the upper levels reinforces the reference to the urban environment, constituted by buildings of smaller scale. Each of these cut-outs is formulated differently according to its function and orientation, establishing a clear hierarchy between the different situations of access and entry. Every cutout has a roof garden with a small, paved area on the first floor that serve as informal places for social encounters and breaks. Slender bridge structures span the terraces at different levels, creating private, individual outdoor spaces for the different rental units.
Instead of alienation from one’s own product, identification with one’s own workplace is encouraged, including the appropriation and domestication of outdoor areas. Heterogeneous vegetation and discreet metal structures, typical of industrial buildings, form the backdrop to a heterogeneous, lively mix of tenants’ furniture and planters in the outdoor areas. The gin producer can e.g. grow some of the herbs he uses himself on his garden terrace.
Different auxiliary structures for climbing plants emphasize the vertical spaces and the small bridges connecting the different building parts. Depending on the location (space and lighting), the cut-outs are provided with different vegetation elements (tree planting, vertical greening, shrub areas), using a wide range of different species and making a significant contribution to biodiversity. These heat-reducing measures become identifying features of the respective offices and commercial spaces and contribute to a rich variety of spatial situations.
The interplay between the joint concept of emptiness and volume and the definition of this ‘emptiness’ through different vegetation concepts like hanging gardens within the bridges, planting carpets on the roof terraces or a small vertical tree group in the main entrance lend the project a sensual dimension that one would not expect from an industrial building.
The simplification of the pathway systems, cars, pedestrians, bicycles, and deliveries was just as priority as taking ecological aspects as a basis. Large-scale pavement areas were unsealed in favor of green areas and only the hard pavement areas required for the extremely complex logistics and traffic were implemented so that rainwater can seep away directly into the green areas. Where this was not possible, underground retention volumes were provided.
The industrial-looking design details are reminiscent of the history of the place.
A combination of roof vegetation going under photovoltaic panels shows demonstrates that the use these two elements can be well combined. Small stone and wood piles are spread through the roof surface to give shelter to small animals and insects as measure for nature protection.
Albisriederstrasse 253, 8047 Zürich
