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Steinacker Residential ComplexLocation:
Zurich, Switzerland Architect: Hasler Schlatter Partner Architekten AG Client: ASIG Baugenossenschaft, Wohnund Siedlungsgenossenschaft Zurich Completion: 2004 Usable floor area: 8,754 square meters (94,227 square feet) In what ways does this project encourage inter-generational living? The on-site amenities are designed to enhance the living experience of all age groups. How does this project demonstrate Universal Design or Barrier-Free living? There are no thresholds throughout the entire project and the project uses electric doors. Fixtures such as elevator buttons are lowered to ease the access for wheelchair users. There is a wheelchair route that begins at the underground parking garage and ends on the top floor of the building. What other amenity does the project feature that cater to the residents? It includes outdoor play space, a children’s nursery and a residential care group. The care group houses six people in need of on going care. It is made up of individual room, a large communal room and a spacious kitchen. How does the layout of the building enhance the users experience? The structural system of the building is laid out in such a way that allows for maximum opportunity of flexibility depending on the users preference. Smaller apartments may be combined into one larger one if desired. Each floor is initially made up of four apartments around a central staircase core. How does the site enhance the project? This project is located on a site overlooking Lake Zurich. The buildings are laid out in such a way to create a spatial connection between them along with their interior and exterior spaces. What sustainable measures does this project employ? No information available. What public amenities are within the surrounding context of the project? The project is surrounded by high quality housing with well-developed external landscapes. There are no major surrounding amenities. Describe the interior, exterior, vertical and horizontal circulation. The interior vertical circulation in each of the buildings of composed of the central stair and elevator core. Horizontally, users are able to move around the core and throughout the open layout of each floor. Exterior circulation is composed of horizontal circulation through the pathways on the site. How do existing and created outdoor spaces enhance the design concept of the project? The site was developed with pathways connecting the buildings to the street. While on the paths, users are forced through a well-landscaped site designed in an organic form. The pathways are paved asphalt suiting pedestrian and bike traffic. What are the principal materials, assemblies, and structural system? The central structural core houses the stairs and is constructed of concrete. There are also columns located on a grid, which help support the large concrete floor slabs. The slabs slightly cantilever past the columns to create balconies on the exterior of the building. The building is constructed of metal and wood on the exterior, while the interior consists of gypsum board and wood flooring. Describe the entry approach to the building. There is road access approaching the five buildings on site. Sidewalks were created at five points along the road to connect users to their buildings from the street. Four of the buildings were designed with one entrance while the front building was created with three entrances. Works Cited Detail-online.com. "Steinacker Estate in Zurich | DETAIL inspiration." 2008. Web. 9 Sep 2013. <http://www.detail-online.com/inspiration/steinacker-estate-in-zurich-103595.html>. Feddersen, Eckhard and Insa Lüdtke. Living for the elderly. Basel: Boston, 2009. Print. |