Architectural Competition Zurich

The former workers' district of Zurich is undergoing large-scale rehabilitation. After the renovation and conversion of a number of buildings such as the Volkshaus and the Hotel Rothaus, there are now further plans for a new development: an area of unused land is to become home to a cooperative estate with apartments for 250 people together with business premises, cultural facilities and 250 new jobs.

In February 2006 around 50 residents of the district developed, together with experts, visions for the Kalkbreite area at a public workshop. The site lies between the Kalkbreite Street, Badener Street and the Seebahn Street in District 4 of central Zurich. With the Kalkbreite tram stop and the nearby Wiedikon railway station the area has good public transport facilities, and it is now to be integrated into the urban context in social and development terms.

In the vision for the area the connections between living, work and culture are to revitalise a part of the city which, with its diverse mix of uses, will integrate well in one of Zurich's most urban areas. Ecologically, economically and socially the estate will be built and used in a sustainable manner, enabling it to make a positive contribution to the development of the city.

Kalkbreite plans to achieve what so far has seemed only a theoretical possibility: the 2000 W society.

Time schedule:
Invitation to participate in the architectural competition: since 19 July 2008
Decision on the architectural competition: February 2009
Directive on allocation of land by district council: February 2009
Construction contract and start of building work – Kalkbreite cooperative: 2011
Completion and start of occupation: 2012/2013