New housing development in Zurich's Hirzenbach district
The city of Zurich wants to build a housing estate and a school complex on Luchswiesenstrasse. The architectural competitions for both projects have now been decided.
With the new construction project in the Hirzenbach neighborhood, the city of Zurich aims to create more non-profit housing on the one hand, and on the other, to make room for 15 additional school classes and expand the range of childcare services. At the same time, the new buildings are intended to help achieve the net-zero target and preserve open spaces. Since a feasibility study showed that all these goals could only be achieved if the two construction projects were linked, the competitions were held in parallel, according to the city of Zurich.
The "Pergola" project by Blättler Heinzer Architektur from Zurich and Kollektiv Nordost Landschaftsarchitekten from St. Gallen won the competition for the new housing development. The planners propose three higher row buildings and lower studio houses in between. A total of 76 residential units are to be built, about half of which will have 4.5 or more rooms. A building directly adjacent to the school area will house four kindergartens and the care infrastructure for a day school with around 700 children. The development is characterized by arbors and passerelles, and the existing green space will not only be preserved but expanded with vertical greenery and planted roofs and terraces. In addition, two large garden courtyards are being created.
The future school complex wants to combine three existing buildings with a new building. According to the winning project "Lynx" by Parameter Architekten and Rosenmayr Landschaftsarchitektur from Zurich, a new, central main building will be built instead of the gymnasium. A new triple gymnasium is to be located under the schoolyard. The current kindergartens will be relocated to the housing development, and a lawn sports facility is planned in their place.
The city of Zurich estimates the construction costs of the two building projects at CHF 97 million (+/-25%). Including reserves, an object credit of CHF 111.7 million is expected, the city says. The municipal council is expected to decide in June 2023, one year later the electorate is asked. In August 2028, the school extension and the first stage of the housing estate could be ready for occupation. The second stage of the housing estate is scheduled for completion in August 2030. (ah)
