Limmatwest

Between 1988 and 1990, Hardturm-Immobilien AG invited fourteen architectural firms to participate in a two-stage SIA project competition. The aim was to find a project that would do optimal justice to the special location of the site (noisy Hardturmstrasse to the south, Limmat to the north, and the area cut through by the SBB viaduct). The urban quarter is characterised by large office and commercial buildings along Hardturmstrasse and loose individual buildings on the north bank of the Limmat. The transition between these two city quarters with their very different characteristics is redefined by the project in a clear urban design conclusion. A long, slightly curved, seven-storey structure takes up the movement of the river course and exposes the historic Hardturm. Entre 1988 y 1990, Hardturm-Immobilien AG invitó a catorce estudios de arquitectura a participar en un concurso de proyectos de SIA en dos fases. El objetivo era encontrar un proyecto que hiciera óptima justicia a la especial ubicación del emplazamiento (la ruidosa Hardturmstrasse al sur, el Limmat al norte y la zona cortada por el viaducto SBB). El barrio urbano se caracteriza por grandes edificios de oficinas y comerciales a lo largo de la Hardturmstrasse y edificios individuales sueltos en la orilla norte del Limmat. La transición entre estos dos barrios de la ciudad, con sus características tan diferentes, se redefine con el proyecto en una clara conclusión de diseño urbano. Una estructura larga y ligeramente curvada de siete plantas recoge el movimiento del curso del río y deja al descubierto la histórica Hardturm. The four-storey building along Hardturmstrasse, separated by an open alley, is placed on the building line and is accompanied by an avenue of trees. It acts as a noise barrier for the residential wing behind it. The two longitudinal structures are divided by seven transverse axes. The access and garden courtyards are located along these axes.