Asylunterkunft Zumikon

The planned asylum accommodation in Zumikon is located within the public building zone at the northwestern edge of the Farlifang school grounds. The elongated plot stretches from Farlifangstrasse to Dorfstrasse and is currently occupied only by a small garage. The neighborhood is characterized by greenery and a loose structure of residential buildings oriented towards the street. The new building references the slender volumes of the adjacent schoolhouse. Set perpendicular to the gently sloping terrain, it is embedded into the site and deliberately offset from the property boundaries. Access balconies form the circulation zones on three sides as “cold” areas, shaping the architectural expression.

Access is provided via Farlifangstrasse. To preserve the green character of the neighborhood, sealed surfaces are kept to a minimum, while the surrounding green areas are enhanced. The compact, three-story building, with a maximum height of 8.80 meters, is topped by a projecting flat roof that provides protection and constructive wood preservation. Superstructures are limited to photovoltaic systems and concentrated building services installations.

With dimensions of 32.90 by 13.60 meters, the building is deliberately integrated into the terrain. Staircases at the end provide vertical circulation, while access balconies along the southeast façade connect the units floor by floor. A prefabricated timber construction system with repetitive, simple principles is planned. This ensures robustness, short construction times, and sustainable use. The load-bearing structure consists of columns, beams, and flat slabs, stiffened by shear walls. Timber-concrete composite floors provide the necessary mass to meet acoustic requirements and buffer temperature fluctuations. The stiffened roof is dimensioned to support solar power generation of 50 kg/m².

Prefabrication and timber construction reduce on-site intervention and impact, minimizing emissions, construction time, and the risk of damage. The residential units are accessed via the balconies. Flexible connecting rooms allow apartment sizes to be adapted between 1.5 and 6.5 rooms, with two sleeping places per room. Each unit is equipped with a robust kitchen, an accessible sanitary cell, and functional spaces. The interior is defined by restrained materials: cast floor finishes, walls in plaster and timber, and ceilings with exposed wood or concrete surfaces.

The visible timber structure not only enhances the atmosphere but also provides physical advantages through improved thermal inertia under changing weather conditions. At the same time, it contributes positively to the CO₂ balance. Whenever possible, timber from the local region is used to reduce transport distances and energy consumption.

The building rests on a flat concrete foundation. Solid timber walls are treated with a pre-greying finish to ensure even drying times. Weather protection is primarily provided by the projecting roof. The open roof construction also allows natural ventilation of the interior spaces. Rainwater is discharged in a controlled and delayed manner (retention).

The materialization emphasizes raw, untreated materials that develop a dignified patina over time. This ties the new building to the historical fabric of the area and lends it to permanence. Timber, concrete, and plastically articulated façades alternate, creating a balanced and rhythmic appearance through light and shadow.

Overall, the asylum accommodation follows a pragmatic and sustainable approach: a clear, compact timber structure, functionally equipped, ecologically responsible, and materialized with simplicity, robustness, and durability. The result is a facility that not only meets current needs but also integrates harmoniously into the neighborhood over the long term.

Client: Politische Gemeinde Zumikon

Planning: Rossetti+Wyss Architekten, SJB Kempter Fitze AG, Elektro-Ingenieure Meyer Partner AG, CLHT Planungsbüro GmbH, Bünder Hydroplan AG, BAKUS Bauphysik & Akustik AG, Jäckli Geologie AG

Competition: 2022, 1. Prize