Gallery ︎︎︎
Faerbi Areal
Giving form to diversity of a mixed-use neighbourhood“In the Färbi neighbourhood, the interplay between transparent, layered architecture and open, park-like spaces fosters dynamic connections between people, places, and experiences, creating a harmonious blend of privacy and community in a uniquely evolving urban landscape.”
Dietmar Leyk, principal and founder
Attractive neighbourhoods today encompass a wide range of cultural spheres and support a variety of contemporary interests. Increased active leisure, new work-life arrangements, and innovative social and spatial configurations are key components. However, the most important aspect is the new relationships and hybrid qualities that have emerged from the profound changes shaping our society in this century. Therefore, we propose a space for residents and visitors of the Färbi neighbourhood that connects diverse places, life situations, and people simultaneously.
The development of the Färbi area is concentrated on five "islands," creating an appealing 50/50 ratio between open space and built form. These "dense urban islands" reinterpret the scale of the surrounding heterogeneous industrial and commercial buildings. They sit as compact yet transparent volumes within a park-like setting, surrounded by a light-filled grove of locust trees. Each island is efficiently connected to the existing infrastructure - each island offers a unique spatial and atmospheric experience.
The architecture of the islands is organised into horizontally layered typologies, offering varying degrees of privacy. The ground floor is transparent, allowing for multiple visual connections and views through the park and across to the other islands. As one lives and works within this park space, a dynamic interaction unfolds between garden, park, and horizon, between the observer and the layered perspectives from the architecture into the endless vanishing points of the park. The patios on the first two floors create a specific office landscape, offering glimpses of the sky and life on the ground floor. The upper floors shape the identity of the islands through their iconic spatial typology.
Schlieren/Zurich, Switzerland - Invited competition, finalist
Landscape Architecture: Hager Partner AG, Zurich, Switzerland
Climate Engineering: HL-Technik, Zurich, Switzerland
Consultant: Burlet & Partner AG, Mettmenstetten, Switzerland