immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Category: Zurich

  • Dietikon bietet Lichtkunst in der dunklen Jahreszeit

    Dietikon bietet Lichtkunst in der dunklen Jahreszeit

    Mit Lichtkunst der Kulturabstinenz trotzen lautet das Motto der abendlichen Dauerpräsentation „DietikON – Lichtkunst erleben“ vom 15. Januar bis 28. Februar im Stadtzentrum von Dietikon. Die Lichtkunst wird jeweils von 17 bis 22 Uhr das Zentrum erhellen. Das Spektrum der Arbeiten von zwölf Künstlerinnen und Künstlern aus der ganzen Schweiz reicht laut einer Ankündigung von poetischen Arbeiten bis hin zu kräftigen, plakativen Werken.

    „Das Projekt ‚DietikON – Lichtkunst erleben‘ soll Licht in die Stadt bringen und den vielen Menschen Trost und Zuversicht spenden, die sich in dieser dunklen Jahreszeit einsam oder in ihrer Freiheit eingeengt fühlen“, wird Stadtpräsident Roger Bachmann in einer Mitteilung zitiert. Schliesslich habe die Dietiker Bevölkerung im Dezember auf den Chlauseinzug und den Weihnachtsmarkt verzichten müssen. Auch sei die Weihnachtsbeleuchtung im Dietiker Stadtzentrum bescheidener ausgefallen als in den Vorjahren, weil infolge der Bauarbeiten viele Kandelaber fehlten. Deshalb habe ein Projektteam rund um die Standortförderung mit „DietikON“ eine Ausstellung organisiert, die Kunstschaffenden die Möglichkeit bietet, ihre Werke im öffentlichen Raum vorzustellen und so Licht und Trost in die dunkle Jahreszeit zu bringen.

    Der Grossteil der Objekte werde im Aussenraum stehen, heisst es auf der Kulturseite der Stadt Dietikon. Dort sind auch die Standorte auf einem Stadtplan eingezeichnet. Vereinzelt werden auch Schaufenster und Innenräume bespielt. Die wenigen im Innenraum aufgestellten Kunstwerke können, ganz corona-konform, durch Schaufenster betrachtet werden, die Räumlichkeiten müssen dafür nicht betreten werden, heist es dort.

    Gezeigt würden sowohl neu erarbeitete Werke, die einzig für die Stadt Dietikon geschaffen wurden und auch mit den örtlichen Gegebenheiten spielen, als auch bereits bestehende Werke, die durch den neuen Kontext der urbanen Stadtlandschaft eine andere Bedeutung erhalten, wird Cinzia Marti von der Standortförderung Dietikon zitiert.

  • Construction plans in Zurich North Next step for densification in Neu-Oerlikon

    Construction plans in Zurich North Next step for densification in Neu-Oerlikon

    Zurich's plans for Neu-Oerlikon: This is how the space around the train station should be designed. Red are buildings with a height of 80 meters, orange are those with a height of 54 and yellow are those with a height of 45 meters. Image: Master plan 07/10/2018

    More apartments, more jobs, more shops, more culture. North of the Oerlikon train station, “an attractive, urban-planning center is to be created”, says structural engineering supervisor André Odermatt (SP). To this end, the city council approved a partial revision of the Neu-Oerlikon special building regulations from 1998.

    The new regulations are a "huge opportunity" for Oerlikon, says Odermatt. "We are improving the plans from the 1990s and bringing them to a close."

    The partial revision allows a clear consolidation. Two skyscrapers with heights of 80 and 54 meters are planned on Max-Frisch-Platz. A total of 400 to 500 new apartments are to be built between Binzmühlestrasse and Oerlikon train station. In around half of them, non-profit housing construction is possible, according to the Urban Development Office.

    ABB cedes city property

    The city developed the plans together with the three major landowners, the canton of Zurich and the companies ABB Immobilien AG and AXA Leben. The city can claim some of the profit generated by the rezoning.

    The city receives money from the canton and AXA Leben – how much is not yet public. She would like to use the amount to improve the infrastructures in the neighborhood. ABB Immobilien will provide the city with the property on which Hall 550 is located. "In this way we can secure the existence of Hall 550," says Odermatt. This makes an important contribution to the cultural offerings in Oerlikon. The city is also taking over the property south of it. There she is planning charitable apartments.

    The special building regulations guarantee that with Hall 550 and the former ABB brick building 87T, two buildings from the industrial past will remain. In addition, they should create a greener quarter. Max-Frisch-Platz and a pedestrian zone are being enlarged. Shops and restaurants on the ground floors should keep the streets busy.

    Next, the local council will discuss the new building regulations. They will come into force in mid-2022 at the earliest. Then the owners can start planning their properties.

  • Empa steel adhesives last 50 years

    Empa steel adhesives last 50 years

    In the large test laboratory of the Eidgenössische Materialprüfungs- und Forschungsanstalt ( Empa ) in Dübendorf, a test has been running for 50 years to examine the long-term behavior of bonded steel reinforcement on a concrete beam. In this long-term test, which is unique worldwide, according to the media release , several reinforced concrete girders were reinforced with steel lamellas glued to the underside. One of the girders, which has been subjected to 87 percent of its predetermined breaking value for 50 years, has so far held out without any problems.

    “After 50 years below 87 percent of the average breaking load, the epoxy resin bond shows no weaknesses. This means that bonded steel lamellar reinforcements have passed the long-term test, ”says engineer Christoph Czaderski, who has overseen the test over the past few years.

    According to the announcement, the carrier is one of originally six identical specimens, all of which were subjected to different tests. The five other reinforced beams fell victim to fairly successful static fracture and dynamic fatigue tests that exceeded their load limits. The aim of the tests was to find out how well epoxy resin works as an adhesive for attaching a steel lamella to a concrete beam. According to Czaderski, the long-term test shows "practically no shifts" in the adhesive joint after 50 years.

    What was new territory at the beginning of the test is now state of the art. The process is important because it allows older buildings to be reliably reinforced instead of being torn down and replaced by new buildings.

    Empa's “Engineering Structures” department has been developing and researching new, simple and inexpensive reinforcement methods with modern materials such as epoxy resins, carbon fiber-reinforced plastics and shape memory alloys for many years.

  • UBS relies on Implenia

    UBS relies on Implenia

    UBS has selected Implenia as the general contractor for the renovation of its listed building on Paradeplatz in Zurich, the construction and real estate company from Dietlikon informs in a message . According to her, the award of the contract was preceded by a year-long overall performance competition. The notification does not provide any information about competitors or the volume of orders.

    The start of construction work is planned for the end of next year, Implenia informs. During the renovation, Roland Rohn's historic character is to be restored “in a contemporary way,” explains Pierre de Meuron, Founding Partner of the Herzog & de Meuron architecture firm, in the press release. In addition to new office space, spaces with hybrid and partly public use are planned. Implenia also plans to open the building to Paradeplatz and Bärengasse. The renovation work should meet the LEED Platinum sustainability standard for ecological building.

    "We rely on efficient and effective processes as well as the latest methods from Lean Construction to ensure optimal quality, deadlines and good communication in the planning and execution of the complex project across all phases," says Jens Vollmar, Head of the Buildings Division at Implenia, in the communication quoted. "We also work with a proven team that has already worked for UBS on other projects."

  • Dietiker Kindergarten receives architecture award

    Dietiker Kindergarten receives architecture award

    The Steinmürli kindergarten, which received the “best architects 21” award, was built in 2019 as a modern wooden element construction. According to a media release from the City of Dietikon, it was designed by the Schmid Ziörjen Architects in Zurich. The jury's description of the award-winning building states that the Steinmürli school complex is a cluster of orthogonally arranged school and gym buildings. The new kindergarten, placed at right angles to the existing buildings, would naturally be integrated into the overall complex. This would reorganize the open spaces and create a well-sunlit and spacious outdoor play area between the existing kindergarten and the new building.

    The jury that awarded the award consists of the architects Professor Johannes Modersohn from Berlin, Yves Moreau from Paris and Patrick Schmid from Zurich.

    The best architects award was launched in 2006 in order, according to information on its website, to filter out the best and most interesting of the German-speaking architecture scene and to show it to the public. In 2015 the prize was opened to participants from all over Europe.

  • Halter moves into new headquarters in JED

    Halter moves into new headquarters in JED

    The construction company Halter AG opens its new headquarters on December 14th in the former NZZ printing center in Schlieren, which the company itself converted. Before moving to JED , Halter AG was based in Zurich. The abbreviation of the center, which was converted on behalf of the owner Swiss Prime Site, stands for Join. Explore. Dare – connect, discover, dare. In addition to Halter AG, the company sisters Tend AG, Raumgleiter AG, Integral design-build AG, the developer cooperative Wir sind Stadtgarten and MOVEment Systems AG are also moving their headquarters to Schlieren, according to a press release.

    The new headquarters of Halter AG will operate under the label The Branch . It is intended to offer new opportunities for collaboration with publicly rentable so-called collab workstations, work lounges and big rooms for individuals and teams. The group describes the horizontal and vertical integration of the real estate world as the driving idea behind The Branch. The Branch Do Tank association is the sponsor. According to the corporate announcement, this is intended to promote the further development of the construction and real estate industry in practice. "The vision of an integrated process landscape in the construction and real estate world must be implemented outside of the conventional entrepreneurial silos and the traditional industry structures", Markus Mettler, CEO of Halter AG, is quoted on the side of The Branch.

  • Jaisli-Xamax is rebuilding the traditional Beyer company in Zurich

    Jaisli-Xamax is rebuilding the traditional Beyer company in Zurich

    The employee newspaper Brilli's News of Jaisli-Xamax AG in Dietikon took the renovation of the traditional Zurich company Beyer Uhren & Juwelen for its 260th anniversary as an opportunity for an interview with Managing Director René Beyer. Under the title “Time for something new”, Beyer reports on the good cooperation with the construction management from Palmieri and the team from Jaisli-Xamax responsible for all electrical aspects. This “well-rehearsed team” carried out an initial renovation nine years ago and has now completed the renovation for the company's anniversary in the summer.

    Beyer is quoted as saying: “This is not the first conversion with the Jaisli-Xamax AG team. Not only for renovations, but also for various maintenance work during the year, I can count on the reliable specialists in your company. ”What he appreciates about the cooperation is that he knows all of the specialists personally. At Jaisli-Xamax AG there is a family atmosphere and togetherness. "It is important to me to have a competent partner on board who also 'ieferet' and not just 'laferet'", Beyer continues.

    As to the motivation for the total renovation, Beyer says that he has to think about handing over the business to the next generation and therefore wanted to equip the watch and jewelery boutique with a special feel-good atmosphere. Beyer: "That may sound like a flat marketing strategy, but in the end it is really what we can offer customers in contrast to the numerous online providers."

  • City of Zurich wants to reduce heat

    City of Zurich wants to reduce heat

    The city of Zurich is reacting to the heat waves of the past summer and wants to arm the city for future temperature-related stresses. On the one hand, measures are planned to be implemented in new construction projects. And on the other hand, the principle of the sponge city is to be implemented in pilot projects, as can be seen in a communication.

    This principle was developed to minimize flooding. To this end, rainfalls in the city are to be held back like a sponge and only gradually channeled into the water and groundwater. However, this principle is also intended to reduce global warming in Zurich. To this end, part of the Giessereistrasse in Zurich has been converted in a pilot project. For the sponge city principle, many factors such as the gradient of the road, the road surface, permeable curbs and lockable mud collectors must be taken into account. The aim is to ensure that rainwater only runs into the sewer system in winter. In the rest of the year, it should be diverted into the vegetation, where it slowly evaporates and thus contributes to cooling. At the end of the structural work, nine new trees have now been planted.

    The project, which will cost 680,000 francs, is currently designed for the period up to 2024. The Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) ensures scientific monitoring.

  • Senozon helps dealers choose a location

    Senozon helps dealers choose a location

    Location and traffic optimization are the core business of the Zurich company Senozon . According to a media release, interested parties can now order a map free of charge online that shows, for a specific postcode area, where pedestrians are particularly frequent during the day. Also included is a map with the pedestrian frequencies of people between 18 and 65 years of age with a medium or high household income.

    The spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich ( ETH ) receives numerous inquiries for individual locations, for which this free data product now provides answers: “In times of the Corona, it is even more important for retailers and their advisors to choose the locations cleverly. We are making a contribution with these cards, ”says Senozon sales manager Phillip Kousz.

    Senozon also offers other products for a fee, such as areas that cover several postal codes, absolute pedestrian frequencies, other socio-demographics, daily frequencies and catchment areas. The simulation enables not only an analysis of the current situation, but also precise prognoses of the future.

    According to the announcement, the basis for the simulations of Senozon are mainly publicly available statistics. The company enriches them by comparing them with real measured values. Sources such as traffic counts, apps and statistics from Google and telecom providers are used for this. The great advantage of the method is that it includes the population of a country including its socio-demographics. "For the first time, this allows target group-specific evaluations and studies with full anonymity."

  • Limmattal Spital is allowed to acquire additional areas

    Limmattal Spital is allowed to acquire additional areas

    After the vote on Sunday, the Limmattal Hospital Association has several years of planning security for future extensions and additions to the Limmattal Hospital . With 87.1 percent, those eligible to vote from the eleven supporting communities of the hospital association voted in favor of the purchase of the Sandbühl property in Schlieren. According to a media release , the property, which consists of three parcels, is directly adjacent to the existing hospital area with an acute hospital, care center and rescue service base in the northeast. This enables future-oriented, forward-looking and sustainable planning of the Limmattal health center, it says. Those eligible to vote followed the unanimous vote of the delegates' meeting on September 23 with their yes to long-term site planning. The purchase price is around CHF 15 million.

    The Limmattal Hospital ensures basic medical care for over 77,000 patients every year. With the new building from October 2018, it has 188 beds, eight operating theaters and eight intensive care places. According to the announcement, 1480 employees from 49 nations are currently working in the hospital.

  • Who is or what is a location manager?

    Who is or what is a location manager?

    It often happens that members of the Governing Council of the Swiss Association of Locations are asked what exactly a location promoter is and what its business is. The answer, which is not entirely satisfactory, is always: it depends. Since there is no recognized professional qualification for the approximately 300 people working as real estate developers in Switzerland, much less uniform training or a qualification profile. There are a variety of professional names and roles: location promoter, business promoter, location manager, marketing by location, regional marketing, regional development, to name a few, but the list is not exhaustive. In fact, it does not include the myriad of colleagues in the areas with which the site manager works closely: tourism, real estate, architecture, construction, research, administration and the public sector, culture, gastronomy, etc. At the theoretical level, there seems to be a clear distinction which actually disappears in practice.

    Realize the potential and then implement it
    And it is precisely in this interface between the most diverse sectors that the promoter or promoter of locations is located and in most cases – yes, women are gaining ground – often with diverse skills in other sectors such as sociology, economics, architecture, marketing or real estate sales. The modern event organizer combines these and other skills and fulfills the task that is often assigned to him by politics – at the local or international level. You, who read this magazine, are most likely active in one of the areas mentioned, so that you can best assess the many qualities and knowledge that a site promoter should possess. Everyone agrees on one point: There is a common denominator for all project sponsors, everyone wants to know the potential of their field of action in order to then develop and realize it. And this is a somewhat straightforward answer to the question originally asked.

    Promote professionalism
    The ASLM, the umbrella organization that brings together location and business promoters in Switzerland, is not satisfied. The association, founded in 1998, now has around 90 members. It tries to find answers to the questions mentioned above and for this purpose promotes the interdisciplinary exchange of information and experience as well as the connection between teaching, research and practice. The ASLM is fully committed to promoting professionalism in the area of location management. In cooperation with various higher education institutions, the association organizes courses and training modules on this topic, and several members are also speakers in the various training and refresher courses. The ASLM is also at the political level in the service of professionalism in order to achieve a recognized professional personality, the figure of the "location manager". The tasks of the ASLM include answering questions about location management.

    The network of contacts is essential
    However, the main role of the ASLM is the liaison between its members. Location development, location marketing, business development, real estate projects, spatial planning: As already mentioned, these and other topics are part of the daily activities of location promoters. Complex sectors that overlap and for which it is not always easy to keep an overview and to have the connections and contexts
    feels right. This is precisely why the exchange of experience, the professional network and close cooperation between the various industries are becoming increasingly important. The ASLM offers its members the opportunity to expand their network, to take care of the interdisciplinary exchange and to use the synergies between location promotion, economic development, spatial planning and real estate development. In addition, ASLM members can take advantage of short free consultations on aspects of site management and site development offered by members of the ASLM Board of Directors.

    Awards for innovative projects
    Every year in spring, the ASLM organizes the location management day, on which location managers, business promoters, experts from the real estate sector and representatives of municipalities, cities and cantons meet to listen to interventions on reference cases and to discuss industry-specific topics, exchange experiences and expand them Your network of contacts. ASLM has been giving the coveted ASLM Awards to innovative projects in the field of location development, location marketing and business promotion since 2007. The awards are intended to reward the diversity and quality as well as the innovative strength of projects in the field of location development, location marketing and business promotion. Since 2017, ASLM has also been organizing a visit to the Expo Real in Monaco, which will take place at the beginning of October. With around 42,000 visitors and 2,000 exhibitors, Expo Real is the largest European exhibition for the real estate and location sector. The initiative includes a return trip by bus, a visit to the exhibition with selected meetings, an aperitif and an exclusive network at the Swiss stand “Swiss Circle”. ■

    • André Gassmann is a member of
      Managing Director of ASLM and Head of Communication and Marketing for the municipality of Emmen; Alexandra Vogel heads the office of the Swiss branch association ASLM.

    contacts

    Swiss Association
    for location management SVSM
    Office
    Ricketwilerstrasse 135
    8352 Ricketwil (Winterthur)
    T: 058 255 08 88
    info@svsm-standortmanagement.ch
    www.svsm-standortmanagement.ch

  • Zürich erhält Goldauszeichnung als Energiestadt

    Zürich erhält Goldauszeichnung als Energiestadt

    Zürich ist im Rahmen des Hackathons Climathon Zürich erneut mit dem Energiestadt-Label in Gold ausgezeichnet worden. Damit fördert der Trägerverein Energiestadt die Umstellung auf erneuerbare Energien und Energieeffizienz. Laut einer Medienmitteilung der Stadt hätten der Ausbau der Photovoltaikanlagen auf stadteigenen Liegenschaften zu dieser Anerkennung ebenso beigetragen wie die Realisierung des Energieverbunds Altstetten und Höngg. Auch die neue Tramlinie Hardbrücke und die weitere Elektrifizierung des öffentlichen Verkehrs hätten ihren Anteil daran.

    Zum ersten Mal war Zürich die Auszeichnung als Energiestadt vor 20 Jahren verliehen worden. Seither seien die langfristigen Ziele der Stadt „kontinuierlich angepasst worden“. Dazu gehörten etwa die Verankerung der 2000-Watt-Gesellschaft in der Gemeindeordnung und die aktuellen Bestrebungen in Richtung Klimaneutralität. Grundlage dafür seien die im Masterplan Energie der Stadt Zürich definierten energiepolitischen Schwerpunkte.

  • Quickpac now distributes packages from Dietikon

    Quickpac now distributes packages from Dietikon

    With the newly opened depot in Dietikon, the parcel delivery company Quickpac intends to serve large parts of the cantons of Aargau, Zug and Zurich in the future. With Dietikon, Quickpac expands the number of its distribution centers to three. Up to 25,000 parcels can be transported daily from the three depots. The subsidiary of Quickmail AG is planning to open further depots in St.Gallen in 2021 and, according to a media release , is currently looking for locations in the regions of Bern, St.Gallen, Upper Lake Zurich, Lucerne and Basel.

    55 new parcel deliverers have been hired in Dietikon. The number should double in 2021, it is said. 75 new electric vehicles were purchased for delivery. With 176 Renault Kangoo ZE, Quickpac has the largest electric car fleet in Switzerland. According to the announcement, the head of the Dietikon depot is Matthias Merz (47), previously Head of Operations at Cargo Solution GmbH.

    The new parcel center would allow even more recipients in Switzerland to benefit from “the fact that their parcels are delivered quietly and with low emissions,” says Thomas Ulmann, COO of Quickpac, quoted as saying. In addition, there is the rapid delivery. A quarter of the parcels are delivered on the day of delivery. Even between 5 and 9 p.m. when working people are at home. Ulmann: "That saves unnecessary and unecological trips to collection points."

  • Standortförderung Dietikon legt Zwischenbericht vor

    Standortförderung Dietikon legt Zwischenbericht vor

    Die Standortförderung Dietikon hat ihren Zwischenbericht für die Zeit von Mai bis Oktober vorgelegt. Die Auswirkungen und Beschränkungen aufgrund der Corona-Pandemie machten sich deutlich bemerkbar. So zwang diese Situation die Gemeindeführungsorganisation GFO der Stadt Dietikon laut dem Bericht dazu, den Herbst- und Weihnachtsmarkt mitsamt dem Chlauseinzug abzusagen. Die Standortförderung habe allerdings die Einschränkungen als Chance gesehen und die frei gewordene Kapazität dazu genutzt, verschiedene Initiativen zur Stärkung des Zentrums und des lokalen Gewerbes ins Leben zu rufen.

    So lancierte die Stadt Anfang Oktober eine Testimonial-Kampagne mit 19 Dietiker Persönlichkeiten. Die drei Staffeln der Imagekampagne dauern bis Herbst 2021. Der Imageförderung dient auch eine 40-seitige Broschüre über Dietikon, die  an Schulen, Neuzuzügerfeiern, zur Personalrekrutierung sowie für die Ansiedlung von Unternehmen und Arbeitskräften eingesetzt werden soll. Sie ist gedruckt und online erhältlich.

    Schon im Juli hat sich auf Initiative der Standortförderung das NetzwerkStadt gebildet, das sich für ein attraktives Zentrum und den Einzelhandel einsetzt. Weitergeführt wird auch „Kunst und Kulinarik in leeren Mieträumen“, durch die Mieträume sichtbar gemacht und durch Veranstaltungen belebt werden.

    An weiteren Projekten nennt der Zwischenbericht die Suche nach einem Standort für die Schaffung eines Wirtschaftsclusters und das mit den Elektrizitätswerken des Kantons Zürich (EKZ) durchgeführte Projekt „Smart City im öffentlichen Raum erlebbar machen“. Positiv vermerkt wird, dass trotz der Corona-Beschränkungen seit Mai der im Zentrum stattfindende Frischmarkt wieder geöffnet ist und, dass die Bauarbeiten der Limmattalbahn nach Plan verlaufen. Eine anlässlich des Herbstmarktes geplante Baustellenbegehung dort allerdings musste wegen Corona abgesagt werden.

  • The area between St.Gallen and Gossau receives the green light

    The area between St.Gallen and Gossau receives the green light

    The area between St.Gallen and Gossau is already home to numerous companies. Thanks to the motorway, the S-Bahn and the bus connections, it is already well developed today. Now both cities want to develop the 1.7 million square meter area between St.Gallen and Gossau. It should be upgraded in terms of traffic technology, attract new companies and give existing companies room for further development.

    The St.Gallen city parliament gave the green light for the development planning on October 27th, the Gossau city parliament followed on November 3rd, as the association Areal St.Gallen West – Gossau Ost writes in a message .

    The decision was made unanimously in both city parliaments. In the debate on October 27th, according to an article in the “Tagblatt”, the green St.Gallen city parliamentarian Andreas Hobi emphasized that the area has a high added value and that public transport should have its own route. Ivo Liechti emphasized on behalf of the CVP / EPP group that the area represents the largest contiguous work zone in the canton.

    The cost of development planning is budgeted at CHF 1.734 million. The two cities each contribute 611,200 francs of this. The canton takes on 20 percent of the remaining 30 percent, the neighboring municipality of Gaiserwald SG and the economy 5 percent each. The also adjacent Herisau AR does not contribute to the costs of the development.

  • Airport opens The Circle

    Airport opens The Circle

    The Circle has been the largest building construction site in Switzerland for years. The building complex next to the airport has been open to the public since Thursday, as the airport writes in a message .

    The opening takes place gradually. The University Hospital Zurich has been represented in the Circle with a health center since October, and the Victoria Pharmacy has already opened. Stores like Avec and Bayard open in November. The Hyatt Regency Hotel with the Convention Hall for 2500 people opens in December, the Hyatt Place Hotel follows in the spring. Some office tenants have already moved in. Other tenants such as Abraxas, Microsoft, MSD, Novo Nordisk, SAP and Oracle are gradually following suit. A shared office from Westhive will follow in the spring.

    Andreas Schmid, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Flughafen Zürich AG, emphasizes that construction costs have been kept under control and The Circle is almost fully let. “The decision to implement was a courageous step by the two co-owners,” he is quoted in the press release. "Today we can reap the benefits."

    Rolf Dörig sees it similarly: "The Circle is a future-oriented development in every respect: compact and sustainable construction in the right location and a modern usage concept that is geared to the needs of current and future generations," said the Chairman of the Board of Directors of co-owner Swiss Life quoted.

  • A superlative future project

    A superlative future project

    Where the SBB's repair center (Depot G) is located today, a new piece of the city is to be built in the middle of the city in the future. This is done on an area larger than four football fields. Those responsible for the project envision that different offers for living and working as well as spacious public spaces should be created on the Neugasse area for the neighborhood and for the entire city. Also for people who should help shape the space and life there with their ideas. Speaking of co-design: how the Neugasse area will be designed for the future in detail, the SBB will design together with the population, politics and administration.

    75 percent of the area is planned for living – a total of 375 apartments. The following distribution is planned:
    1/3 non-profit housing construction (building rights to cooperatives)
    1/3 limited-price living
    (created by SBB)
    1/3 living for market rent
    (created by SBB)

    25 percent of the area is planned for trade, culture and communal or public uses.
    10 percent school
    (Building rights to the City of Zurich)
    15 percent commercial, cultural and communal uses (1/3 of it in building rights for cooperatives). ■

  • Another skyscraper characterizes Zurich Oerlikon

    Another skyscraper characterizes Zurich Oerlikon

    The foundation stone for the project was laid in 2014 with a multi-stage general planning competition. Armon Semadeni Architects, Zurich emerged as the winner. SBB is investing around 96 million francs in the Franklinturm at Zurich Oerlikon station. The almost eighty meter high new building will have 14,800 square meters of office space on 21 floors and shops and restaurants on the ground floor on 200 square meters. In addition, a bicycle ramp will be integrated into the Franklinturm, which will connect Hofwiesenstrasse with the Velostation Passage Oerlikon. The sales and catering areas on the ground floor will be marketed in 2021. With the project, SBB wants to further improve the quality of work and life in Zurich Oerlikon. The building, together with the Andreasturm, will have a significant impact on the cityscape in north Zurich, emphasize those responsible for the project. As with previous SBB buildings, the Franklinturm will also be realized according to the "DGNB / SGNI Platinum" standard of the Swiss Society for Sustainable Real Estate Management. The system evaluates the ecological, economic, socio-cultural and functional qualities of a building. ■

  • A versatile housing estate for Leutschenbach

    A versatile housing estate for Leutschenbach

    The new housing estate consists of two U-shaped, seven to nine-story main buildings that are open towards Riedbach and thus create a spacious inner courtyard with parking spaces across both areas, explained the project managers. The inner courtyard is also supplemented with smaller buildings that accommodate different uses such as the four kindergartens and childcare. The new building project by Clou Architekten AG, Zurich, and Atelier Oriri Landschaftsarchitekten GmbH, Kehrsiten, won an architecture competition in 2016. The jury argued that the project impressed above all with its high space and volume efficiency, which, in addition to cost advantages, also promises energetic and operational benefits.

    The focus is on 4- to 4½-room apartments
    The Leutschenbach housing estate comprises 349 2- to 6½-room apartments, two cluster apartments each with six 1- to 2-room studios, seven apartments for shared apartments, eleven two-storey residential studios and 41 rentable rooms. The housing offer is tailored to current needs in different phases of living and life. The eight large apartments and the differently designed rooms would offer flexible space for different living solutions. The proportion of 4- to 4½-room apartments is around 46 percent and thus forms the focus. The rooms for trade and services with storage space are on the ground floor. The individual rooms have an area of 20 to 130 square meters.

    Contribution to the 2000 watt society
    The housing estate is intended to make a contribution to the 2000 watt society with various measures. The U-shaped main building will be built according to the Minergie-P-ECO, the buildings in the inner courtyard according to the Minergie-ECO standard. It is planned that the heat will be supplied via the district heating network of the Hagenholz waste incineration plant and can also be supplemented by the waste heat from the neighboring data center of Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF). In addition, a photovoltaic system is to be installed on the roof for personal use. ■

  • Competence center for social professions

    Competence center for social professions

    The vocational school in Winterthur is a competence center for social professions. In addition, the professions of retail trade and dental assistant are taught, writes the building construction department of the canton of Zurich in a message. With the new building, the construction project includes around forty classrooms, a triple gymnasium as well as rooms for student residence and administration. As a result, various rental areas in Winterthur will be eliminated and the number of school locations will be reduced.

    Optimal use of school and sports
    The project captivates with its compact form and the associated location within the plot. This would create space for two spacious forecourt, emphasize the project managers. The floor plans also ensure optimal school and sports use, and the light-flooded atrium enables inviting, interior access and attractive usable areas on the ground floor and on the upper floors. With the seven-storey wood / concrete structure, the building management's high sustainability requirements would be met. The statically load-bearing timber framework remains visible on the upper floors. The aim is to submit a building project that is eligible for approval to the government council and the cantonal council in 2021. If you agree to the project and no appeals are made, construction work is expected to start in autumn 2022. ■

  • Glattpark – or how a swamp becomes a city

    Glattpark – or how a swamp becomes a city

    The Oberhauserriet – today's Glattpark – has a long and eventful history behind it. The planning of the development of the former swamp and agricultural area took more than forty years. After the approval of the neighborhood plan in 2001, however, the development picked up speed: A new district of Opfikon was built on what was once a green field at a rapid pace, with currently around 5780 residents and 3100 jobs in the neighborhood plan area. Today the Glattpark has a model character in its uniqueness. A new book, which appeared in mid-September, shows challenges and solutions on the way from the meadow to the urban district and traces the individual development steps. **

    Breathe life into a vision
    The founding of an organization that was unique in Switzerland at that time contributed significantly to the success of the Glattpark: a merger of several landowners to form a superordinate area marketing department, which was responsible for the overall marketing of the Oberhauserriet. The aim was to create a common brand from which all individual projects would in turn benefit. The new organization – the Glattpark area marketing – was supposed to act as an information hub for landowners, the media and the general public on the one hand, and to provide marketing services to the individual landowners on the other. But first and foremost, it should breathe life into a vision, because offices and apartments should not simply be built in Oberhauserriet – an urban vision would be realized here. Communication with the development area therefore required a way of thinking that went beyond the mere application of individual projects.

    Marketing offensive for a meadow
    In view of the rather difficult economic environment at the time, the establishment of joint area marketing must be described as courageous. The developments at the airport and in terms of aircraft noise, the uncertain realization of the Glattalbahn – a location advantage that should not be underestimated for the new district – but also the generally difficult economic situation made "big hits" appear difficult. The area marketing Glattpark was aware of this fact from the beginning, but saw the overall quality of the area as an opportunity. The success soon proved the area marketing right: Thanks to extensive marketing and communication measures, the organization quickly developed into the central information and contact point for the new district. When marketing the area, it was initially about making the vision visible. For this purpose, the Glattpark area marketing relied on the one hand on visualizations and on the other hand on a large model that was constantly updated. In the specially set up showroom, interested parties and investors were able to get an idea of the future district. In addition, a comprehensive website offered a lot of information. Events, trade fair appearances and classic media work complemented the marketing measures. And finally the former Riet even became a town: in 2005 the Glattpark officially became a separate district with the postal address “8152 Glattpark (Opfikon)”. The process was initiated by the landowners: They were rightly convinced that the «Glattpark» postal address would contribute a lot to branding.

    Coordination between landowners and the city
    Another important success factor for the development of the Glattpark was the close cooperation between the city of Opfikon and the landowners. The complexity of the development of a new district also made it necessary for the city of Opfikon to create new forms of organization: the Glattpark area management. The new organization was commissioned by the Opfikon City Council to take over the strategic and operational management of the new district. The area management should include the needs of all administrative departments in the city that affected Glattpark in the development process. The main task of the committee, however, was the overall coordination and the exchange of information between those involved. Representatives of the authorities, administrative employees, landowners' representatives and external specialists from the areas of spatial planning, marketing, business administration and social science had a seat in the area management.

    What the urban heart desires
    With the rapid construction progress in Glattpark, the new district quickly revived – and thanks to the establishment of an active neighborhood association, the initiative of committed residents and external organizers, it developed its own neighborhood identity. The "Glattpark-Barometer" showed the concerns of the residents – and initiated various measures to improve the quality of life. So Glattpark became more and more popular with families; and the demand for a school building of their own grew correspondingly louder. After several referendums, nothing stands in the way of its realization. And so the new district will soon really offer everything that the urban heart desires: a comprehensive district supply with shops and services, optimal connections to public transport, a spacious park landscape with its own lake, crèches, kindergarten and soon a primary school. ■

    * Alexandra Vogel is the head of the office of the Swiss Association for Location Management SVSM

    ** The book “Glattpark – a city is created”, published by IGG Glattpark, can be ordered by e-mail to info@glattpark.ch or by phone on 043 211 50 10 for CHF 50 plus shipping costs. The book with high-quality hardcover binding in the format 24 x 34 cm traces the eventful history of the development area on 128 pages with texts, pictures, quotations and newspaper articles. The book has been available since mid-September.

  • Extended tram depot including 193 rental apartments

    Extended tram depot including 193 rental apartments

    The new building project emerged as the winner of an architecture competition in 2016. The project was penned by Morger Partner Architects from Basel. The project was particularly convincing with its high space and volume efficiency, which, in addition to cost advantages, also promises energetic and operational benefits, emphasize the project managers. The building project “Tram depot and housing estate Depot Hard” includes the partial renovation of the existing, listed tram depot from 1912, the construction of a modern depot hall with a total of 25 tram parking spaces. In addition, there are provision, maintenance and repair areas as well as operating and service rooms for the Zurich transport company.

    Living space for around 550 people
    In addition, a new urban housing estate is being built with a total of 193 apartments of various sizes. It offers living space for around 550 people. In addition to apartments in the base construction on the Limmat, maisonette apartments (townhouses) are being built. They offer direct access to the courtyard. The offer is to be supplemented with apartment blocks in the two high-rise buildings. They extend to the 22nd and 23rd floors respectively. In addition, various studio, commercial and service areas as well as a public footpath and bicycle path with lounge areas are planned along the Limmat.

    Tram depot as the base of the development
    The new tram depot forms the base of the superstructure and is built over with two-storey row buildings as a geometric connection to the residential buildings of the existing complex, explain the project managers. This creates a relationship to the existing building both in terms of the height of the building and in terms of its geometry. The area between the row buildings is to be used as a spacious and versatile courtyard for the residents of the housing estate. The two high-rise residential buildings, which will be located together with the two existing high-rise buildings on the opposite side of Hardturmstrasse, mark the entrance to the Zurich-West quarter. ■

  • Thalwil: development with rail connection

    Thalwil: development with rail connection

    The “Talevo” project is to create sales and office space in the existing goods shed on the eastern part of Thalwil train station. In addition, attic apartments or offices are planned to be added. In addition to the goods shed, an architecturally and energetically high-quality residential complex is planned, which – according to the project managers – should be optimally networked with the quarters. Sales and office space are planned on the ground floor. There are also plans to plant around thirty trees on Bahnhofstrasse, creating an avenue-like character. The Thalwil voters will vote on it at one of the next community meetings. ■

  • K118: A building made from construction waste

    K118: A building made from construction waste

    A project that could hardly be more sustainable: the extension of hall 118 on the storage area in Winterthur ZH was increased by five floors. And wherever possible with reusable building materials. The presence of such materials from demolitions in the region was decisive for the current appearance. The building is not yet completely finished: “The construction should be completed in early 2021,” says Benjamin Poignon, architect and civil engineer at “baubüro in situ”.

    The Abendrot Foundation, based in Basel, bought the Lagerplatz area from Sulzer Immobilien AG in 2010. The direction of focus was quickly clear to the pension fund, which is committed to sustainability: the already existing mixed use should be further developed in cooperation with the tenants. Several new studios of up to 60 square meters for start-ups and small businesses are planned for each of the upper floors.

    Although the buildings and their footprints were to be retained, they were to be further developed in terms of energy and in accordance with legal standards. The “construction office in situ” is responsible for the project. The project managers Marc Angst and Pascal Hentschel sum up the concept: «Repairing what can still be used. Remove what disturbs or is no longer suitable – and add what is new. "

    Finding building materials is half the time
    The supporting framework consists of an used steel structure. Prefabricated facade elements made of wood, which are filled with straw insulation, are attached to this. Such simple ecological building materials as straw, excavated earth and wood accumulate in large quantities and can be processed and used with a minimal use of gray energy. They also ensure a pleasant room climate.

    The slightly overhanging south facade in bright brick red-orange comes from the sheet metal facade of the former Ziegler print shop in Winterthur Grüze. The windows in the new recycling building are inconsistent, but overall they are consistent. In order for the insulation to meet today's standards, the glazing was doubled in nine windows, the others had sufficient insulation. The staircase on the east facade is over 30 years old and previously adorned the facade of the Orion office building in Zurich-West. 80 windows and facade panels made of granite, which are recycled for the balcony floors, also come from this building, which was erected in 1989. The respective components are not reprocessed – this differentiates the project from so-called downcycling, in which building materials are initially reworked in a energy-intensive manner.

    The architects have already learned a lot from this unique pilot project: “It is the first time that we have reused a supporting structure. But we also noticed that there are components that are cheaper to buy than to reuse. For example, we have tried to reuse limestone sandstone. But the cleaning and preparation work was so high that we decided to buy a new one here, ”explains architect Poignon. The project also created a new job: component hunter. The “baubüro In situ” hired interns specifically for this purpose, who looked for suitable demolition objects and any reusable materials that might arise. But the architects, too, are always on the move with open eyes. Usable materials are dismantled and picked up by the architectural office with roots in Basel. The architects spend half of the time evaluating and procuring possible components. "In situ" did not have any problems finding the right material: of the approximately 7.5 million tons of construction waste that is generated in Switzerland every year, only 0.1 percent is directly reused, according to the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) has. «In situ» assumes that ten times more can be reused.

    Book publication planned
    If you think about the costs at this point: 4.8 million Swiss francs have been budgeted for the project so far. One of the stated goals was to build in such a way that it does not cost more than a completely new building. “It is difficult to make direct comparisons,” says Benjamin Poignon.

    In general, “in situ” always relies on the reuse of materials during construction – even if rarely on this large scale. With its uniqueness, K118 has definitely attracted interested parties: A research and teaching project at the ZHAW University of Applied Sciences in Winterthur and a case study in environmental systems science at ETH Zurich accompanied the planning. Among other things, the environmentally relevant (waste, resources, lifespan, etc.) and legal as well as those relating to the construction process are examined. A joint publication is planned in cooperation with the Federal Office for the Environment: The book is intended to comprehensively shed light on the reuse of components in building construction and to make the knowledge and experience gained publicly available. ■

    This is what building K118 should look like after construction work is complete.
  • "Stellwerk 2": In tune with the times

    "Stellwerk 2": In tune with the times

    The first stage, the “Stellwerk 1” office building, was completed in 2010 right next to the historic station building. In addition, the elongated property between the tracks and the station square remained in an exposed location, next to the Wülflingerstrasse underpass. The new "Stellwerk 2" building will be built on this centrally located open space, on which the SBB staff restaurant was formerly located and which houses an underground signal box that is to be preserved. The area forms the north-eastern end of a high-quality urban space that has undergone significant changes in recent years, emphasizes the team of architects. A new building in this exposed location will be very easy to see from many sides, which underlines its importance as an important building block in Winterthur's urban structure, according to the architects. "Stellwerk 2" is a mixed-use building with seventy apartments, two office floors, retail and catering areas on the ground floor and 500 bicycle parking spaces in the basement. ■

  • "We are on course on all construction sites"

    "We are on course on all construction sites"

    The first stage of the Limmattalbahn between Zurich Farbhof and Schlieren Geissweid has been in operation for over a year. The tram is well accepted and used extensively. “There is hardly any distinction between 'old' and 'new' routes,” says Oliver Obergfell from the VBZ media office. The Grüntrassee also made a very good impression after one year of operation. On average, around 5000 people use the Schlierem stops during the week – this roughly corresponds to the number of passengers on the former bus route 31. The Limmattalbahn (LTB) AG is also satisfied with the operation. "So far we have hardly had any complaints with regard to the infrastructure," says managing director Daniel Issler.


    The second stage of the Limmattalbahn between Altstetten station and Zurich Farbhof and between Schlieren Geissweid and Killwangen-Spreitenbach has been under construction for a year. Here, too, everything is going according to plan: “The construction work is making very good progress. We are on course or even a little faster on all construction sites, ”says Issler. There are currently no signs of a cost overrun. The overall project manager also sees himself confronted with challenges: "In the second stage, construction work will take place over a length of around 10 kilometers at the same time." Then there are the large structures such as the Färberhüsli tunnel in Schlieren, the underpass at the Dreispitzkreuzung in Dietikon and the ramp structure in Killwangen.

    A bus line could not cope with the increasing number of passengers
    The construction of the Limmattalbahn is associated with restrictions and immissions for residents, entrepreneurs and road users along the route. LTB AG is aware that the construction site of the Limmattalbahn will cause some inconvenience. “We are therefore trying to build as quickly as possible in order to reduce the restrictions to a minimum. If someone contacts us with a concern, we endeavor to find individual solutions, ”says the managing director. Issler once again emphasizes the benefits of the continuous Limmattalbahn from Zurich Altstetten to Killwangen-Spreitenbach: "Public transport is being strengthened – the Limmattalbahn is a supplement to the existing S-Bahn and enables a continuous and reliable travel chain." The much-brought-up argument of the Limmattalbahn opponents – that an expansion of the existing bus networks in the region would have been enough and would have come more cheaply – is invalidated by the head of LTB AG: “The Limmattal is developing rapidly. Many innovations are still to come. A bus route could not cope with this growth. In addition, a bus always runs the risk of getting stuck in a traffic jam. "

    The announcement of the Limmattalbahn has already triggered numerous construction activities along the route. Old buildings are being renewed, new commercial and residential buildings are being built. Issler expects this trend to continue and even intensify. The growth also exacerbates the already existing traffic problem in the Limmat Valley. Can the Limmattalbahn provide a remedy here? “One of the goals of the Limmattalbahn is to absorb most of the additional traffic caused by public transport. Since measures for individual motorized traffic are also being implemented at the same time, we are confident that road traffic will also become liquid as a result, ”says Issler.

    The second stage should be completed in mid-2022. This is followed by test drives. Official operations are scheduled to begin when the timetable changes in December 2022. Then the Limmattalbahn covers a distance of 13.4 kilometers at an average speed of 22 km / h: from Zurich Altstetten via Schlieren, Urdorf, Dietikon, Spreitenbach to Killwangen. The tram stops 27 times and has a capacity for 260 passengers. The cantons of Zurich and Aargau, as well as the federal government, spent a total of 755 million francs on the first two stages.

    The Aargau government is currently working on plans for a third stage: from Killwangen-Spreitenbach to Baden. In late summer 2020, the Grand Council decided to keep the route clear and to raise the continuation of the tram route in the cantonal structure plan from the previous status of “preliminary orientation” to the level of “interim results”. The extension of the Limmattalbahn thus has a good chance – but a few hurdles still have to be overcome before a final decision can be reached. The start of operations for the last stage, if it is actually implemented, is not expected before 2032. ■

  • An elevated railway for Silbern and the Niderfeld

    An elevated railway for Silbern and the Niderfeld

    The innovative project of the interest group (IG) Hochbahn Silbern, founded in May 2018, is campaigning for a transport solution high above the tracks between the Silbern districts that are relevant for Dietikon and Niderfeld, which is still under development. Because the SBB shunting terminal forms a barrier between the two parts of the city. The elevated railway would secure the direct connection between the S-Bahn station in Silbern and a station of the Limmattalbahn in Niderfeld. This would give the Silbernquartier a connection to the Limmattalbahn, and the approximately 2000 future residents and workers of the Niderfeld-Quartier could easily reach the shopping infrastructure and a possible S-Bahn station in Silbern.
    Behind IG Hochbahn Silbern are representatives of the Silbern and Niderfeld areas as well as Limmatstadt AG and the city of Dietikon. The IG is chaired by Beny Ruhstaller, Association of Landowners Niderfeld Dietikon (VGND). The elevated railway is to be completed in the next 8 to 15 years. The project was classified as relevant for the Limmat Valley. That is why the Silbern elevated railway was included in the Limmattal Regional Project Show as a project worthy of funding. It is already clear what the automated cable-drawn elevated railway might look like. With its possible futuristic design, the elevated railway would not only be an attraction in the Limmat Valley, but would also offer the desired cross-connection. Cable cars have also proven themselves in other places in Switzerland. For example, the Polybahn in Zurich, the Rigiblick cable car or the Lugano light rail.

    The Hochbahn Silbern has meanwhile developed from a vision to a concrete project. The feasibility was checked and classified as feasible – the route and possible stops have already been narrowed down. The route should be between 607 and 637 meters long. With a travel time of around 2 minutes, the elevated train could transport 700 to 750 people per hour. The discussions that have taken place so far with the SBB and the Garaventa cable car company, who regularly take part in the IG Hochbahn Silbern meetings, have so far been very promising. The costs are estimated at around 20 million francs. Operation should be fully automated and not require any on-site personnel.

    According to IG Hochseilbahn Silbern, support from the city authorities is now required to advance the project. In addition, the elevated railway must be integrated into the Niderfeld district plan – with a possible land separation for the stations and the tracks on both sides. In the near future, the project is to be further concretized with a potential analysis and the cost planning and technical feasibility checked. This is followed by the submission to the Federal Office of Transport. ■

  • The development on the Rietpark is larger than 17 football fields

    The development on the Rietpark is larger than 17 football fields

    On the former industrial site of the Geistlich glue factory in Schlieren, the second stage of the new quarter "amRietpark" is being built under the building contractor of Helvetia Insurance and Geistlich Immobilia AG Soccer fields. Where fabrics were once dyed and glue was produced, a total of 921 apartments and the Tertianum AG retirement center will be available from 2020. The Geistlich area alone covers 80,000 square meters and is directly adjacent to Schlieren train station.

    Between 2007 and 2015, 600 apartments, 12,600 square meters of office space and 14,600 square meters of commercial space, 330 square meters of which were for restaurants and bars, were built on the Färbi site. The Geistlich area includes the “Magnolia” project, completed in 2015, with 137 condominiums and the new buildings along Brandstrasse and Engstringerstrasse with a usable area of 55,000 square meters. The public “Rietpark” takes up around half of the new quarter: it is 600 meters long, comprises 42,000 square meters and is the heart of the development.

    Part of the project is a double kindergarten with lunchtime care at Engstringerstrasse 5. This is rented in the residential and commercial building with 84 apartments and commercial space on the ground floor realized by Geistlich lmmobilia AG. Zurich office E2A was hired as the architect. The new building consists of a U-shaped part of the building with residential use from the 1st floor and a continuous basement on the ground floor. All apartments face the park. On the roof, the tenants will find 15 roof gardens based on the former allotment gardens on the site.

    The buildings on Brandstrasse, which were occupied in 2020, were designed by two different architectural offices. Graber Pulver Architects are responsible for the building owner Geistlich Immobilia AG with four towers shifted towards each other like a chessboard at Brandstrasse 1-7. The towers merge into a unit over a two-storey base and guarantee optimal light irradiation and views from all corners of the building. The diverse housing options include classic apartments, maisonettes and cluster apartments as well as commercial and restaurant space and the retirement center for the anchor tenant Tertianum AG. Within the block, a “Rue Interieure” cut lengthways through the ground floor connects the towers.

    Gmür & Gschwentner Architects designed a building with 202 apartments for Helvetia Insurance at Brandstrasse 21. The new building divides the construction site into two structures, each placed around their own courtyards. The center is a hall that residents can use for communal events. A novelty for Schlieren is the pool on the roof with sundeck, which is freely available to the residents. Here, 3.5 to 5.5 room apartments and various commercial spaces were created along Brandstrasse. ■

  • Letzibach D: Three autonomous building parts from three different clients

    Letzibach D: Three autonomous building parts from three different clients

    The new Letzibach D building will be built in Zurich-Altstetten between 2021 and 2025. The city of Zurich acquired the 10,000 square meter area from SBB in 2014. The area has the open track field on the north side and the busy Hohlstrasse on the south side. 250 non-profit apartments are to be built here under the supervision of the property management company, the Retirement Homes Foundation and the Apartments for Large Families Foundation of the City of Zurich. The three builders are each planning a third of the construction volume. This creates three autonomous parts of the building with their own entrances.

    The area development is designed for a utilization of 318 percent. The required density can only be achieved using high-rise solutions. Gut & Schoep Architekten GmbH and Neuland Landschaft GmbH from Zurich are responsible for the plans. A 60-meter-high building with 24 floors and a memorable urban silhouette as well as an eight-story, elongated building that opens in a U-shape towards the track field is planned. A small town square will also be created at the intersection of Hohlstrasse / Flurstrasse.

    The building protrudes to the west of Hohlstrasse and continues the street space of the adjacent Letzibach C development. In the north it bends again at a right angle and thus forms the end with the high-rise. The low, contiguous eight-story part of the building houses the 53 apartments of the Apartments for Large Families Foundation and the 81 apartments of the City of Zurich properties. The apartments in the flat part of the building offer south-facing kitchens as well as north-facing living rooms – some with inner circular routes or with spacious entrances. Retracted balconies between the eat-in kitchen and living room are intended for the 131 retirement homes. These apartments of the Foundation for the City of Zurich Housing for the Elderly are to be built in the sixty-meter-high tower. The concrete facade of the building should ensure durability and economical maintenance. ■

  • Mammoth project in Niderfeld

    Mammoth project in Niderfeld

    The Niderfeld is located in the northeast of the Dietikon municipality and partly borders on Spreitenbach. With around 40 hectares, Niderfeld is Dietikon's last large reserve of building land. And good things take time: The planning of what the area used for agriculture up to 1890 will look like in the future has been going on for around ten years. Around 3000 people will one day live here and another 4000 people will work. The association “Landowner Niderfeld Dietikon” (VGND), founded at the end of 2012, is behind the project. This accompanies the development in the Niderfeld, promotes the interests and concerns of the landowners and represents them to the authorities. The three largest owners are Planzer Transport AG, the city of Dietikon and Josef Wiederkehr AG from Dietikon.

    In the course of time, applications have been made twice to convert all or part of the Niderfeld into an industrial zone. Both times the applications were rejected: first by the municipal council and then at the ballot box. In 1995, in the cantonal structure plan, Niderfeld was assigned cantonal importance as a central area. Settlement parts with a high structural density as well as recreation areas are prescribed in a central area. The aim is to create an attractive economic location with good access to public transport. At the beginning of 2002 the city of Dietikon turned to the regional planning of Zurich and the surrounding area (RZU) with the aim of finding a politically viable zoning. This should allow an orderly structural development based on an overall concept. In addition to representatives of the city and municipal council, landowners, business organizations, representatives of the canton of Aargau, ideational organizations and residents of Dietikon also took part in the Niderfeld open planning process. This ensured that all interest groups were represented and could contribute accordingly.

    This resulted in two rough concepts: One provided for an access network that was largely adapted to the existing parcelling. The second sketched the creation of a park along the Teischlibach, which divides the Niderfeld into a work area in the west, a park in the middle and a residential / mixed area in the east. In 2010 the zoning draft finally became legally binding: the core elements of the new zones are the mandatory design plan and the requirement for an eight-hectare city park. The urban planning concept developed in 2013 formed the basis for the subsequent design and district plans. The master plan was finally approved by the city and municipal council in 2015 and submitted to the landowners and the public for consultation. The Dietikon City Council initiated the district plan procedure at the end of August 2017. After that, the landowners had to agree on various parameters and the redistribution of the land. The design and neighborhood plan, the revision of the building and zoning regulations plus the Teischlibach hydraulic engineering project were submitted to the canton for review in mid-2020. The answer is still pending.

    This is what the new quarter should look like
    The large, central park forms the heart of the Niderfeld district. Quiet park islands, play areas, residential gardens and spacious lawns are planned and are intended to attract people from the surrounding area. Around the park there is a mixed area along the route of the Limmattalbahn, a residential area on the northern edge of the park and a work area in the west towards Mutschellenstrasse. For reasons of noise protection, the mixed area towards the Ueberlandstrasse forms a largely closed development. The residential part should consist of smaller building units, the height of which is graded towards the park.

    The entrance to the new city quarter is marked by the Torplatz at Dreispitz, where a stop for the Limmattalbahn is planned. The residents of Niderfeld should find restaurants and various shops at Torplatz. To the east is the neighborhood square, which is intended to serve as a play and meeting point for the residents. Another space will be created at the second tram stop at the intersection of the workplace and mixed area. The Limmattalbahn runs along the boulevard on its own route. In addition, a dense network of paths for bicycle and pedestrian traffic is to be created. The depot for the Limmattalbahn is planned to the west of Mutschellenstrasse. The residential and mixed zones of the Niderfeld will be designed as a 30 km / h zone. The road network is designed in such a way that there is no crawl traffic from the workplace area in the west to the mixed and residential area in the east.

    So far, the city has received financing loans of over CHF 1 million – the planning effort turned out to be greater than expected and due to the high density of regulations there are still many hurdles to be overcome. The desired elevated railway from Niderfeld to Silbern is also still in progress. Construction is scheduled to start in 2028 at the earliest. ■