Project competition for Geistlich site in Schlieren decided

The first new construction project "Magnolia" with 137 condominiums will be ready for occupancy in 2016. By 2019, the second construction phase will see the construction of residential and commercial buildings with a usable floor space of around 53,000 sqm on four further construction sites along Brandstrasse and Wiesenstrasse. Wüest & Partner and acasa Immobilien-Marketing have developed a utilization concept for this on behalf of the landowners Geistlich Immobilia AG (GIAG) and Helvetia Versicherungen. Wüest & Partner also held a project competition in which 15 architectural firms participated.

The winning project "Brassavola" by Gmür & Geschwentner Architects is being built on construction site B2.1 (Helvetia) on Brandstrasse. It divides the building site into two structures, each organized around its own courtyard. The buildings offer apartments with 3.5 to 5.5 rooms as well as various commercial spaces along Brandstrasse.

On construction sites B2.2 and C1 (GIAG), rental apartments with 2.5 to 4.5 rooms and a retirement home with additional nursing apartments are planned. In addition, a 45 m high tower is being built at a prominent location on the eastern edge of the site, at the as yet unnamed square at the intersection of Engstringer and Brandstrasse. Here, loft apartments, 2.5-room studios and cluster apartments of up to 200 square meters each are planned, as well as offices on the lower floors, a neighborhood provider and catering facilities on the first floor.

The winning design, "Oleander" by Graber Pulver Architekten, proposes four structures shifted towards each other like a checkerboard, rising above a two-story base. The jury emphasizes the well thought-out, clear organization of the very different uses via an attractive "inner street" running through the inside.

The "Ideenwerkstatt" project by E2A Architekten has been awarded a prize on the B4 construction site (GIAG) located on Wiesenstrasse. It envisages a pure office building, the majority of which will be used by a medium-sized company from the region as its headquarters with around 450 jobs. Additional space will be leased to other companies. Public catering facilities are planned in the access area to the Rietpark. This jury particularly emphasizes the urban setting and clear volumetrics facing the park.

With the realization of the second construction phase, the 600m long and publicly accessible Rietpark will also be largely completed. The park is to become the lifeline of the new "amRietpark" quarter. (ah)