Dominik Sempach & Yannick Fortiguerra

The urban design is based on the historical background of the Binzmühlenbach and the green space in front of it and grows into the Werkhof with two volumes from Neunbrunnenstrasse. The idea is to integrate the relationship to the river, the street and the adjacent green space into the area and to create a small oasis within the Werkhof. Two address-forming lift and stair cores form the prelude to two volumes within the Werkhof. The vegetation thus takes over the architecture of the Werkhof and shapes the living and working within it. An additional structure on top of the existing Werkhof completes the intervention.

The resulting overlap of natural spaces, living spaces and workplaces dissolves the separation of functions. The clear boundaries between the production of goods and one‘s own livelihood become blurred. The design attempts to promote the combination of living and working or logistical storage of goods, as used on the site, in a space interspersed with housing and communal, public functions.

A house as infrastructure for different lifestyles. Each housing type should have its own relationship between individuality and community, as well as different priorities in terms of abandonment and generosity. Influenced by the urban analysis of intersections, the floor plans try to playfully deal with the themes of water, living and working, private and public. And to keep the possibilities within the flat as flexible as possible so that there is room for different living constellations.

The point is not to turn away from the problem of noise and work of the Werkhof, but to act within and directly with it, bringing in additional sensory experiences such as sounds, smells, visual references, etc. that lead to overlaps. However, always understanding and respecting the rules and procedures of the work yard.