Rohrfabrik Rüschlikon

The Rohrfabrik in Rueschlikon looks back on a long and eventful history. Originally built for industrial purposes, it shaped the town for decades and formed a self-contained microcosm at the edge of the settlement. With structural change and the cessation of its original use, the opportunity arose to breathe new life into the site. Its location directly on the lake, nestled between the town’s edge, the railway line, and the landscape, lends the grounds to a superior quality that the transformation sought to carry forward with respect. The aim of the project was to preserve the existing fabric wherever possible, while at the same time creating new living and working spaces that respond to present-day needs and remain viable in the long term.

The regulatory framework strongly influenced the development from the outset. Because of the heritage value of several buildings and the proximity to the lakeshore, interventions were heavily restricted. Instead of a radical new construction, the authorities required a careful evolution of the existing substance. This condition became the guiding principle of the project: building onward from the existing as an architectural method. Both the preservation of identity and the creation of new qualities were at the center of the design.

The project is based on a clear structuring of the site. The existing factory halls were preserved in their structural logic and converted into living and working spaces. Through carefully placed interventions, generous apartments, studios, and communal areas were created, keeping the industrial character tangible. Complementary new volumes were added, oriented to the scale, materiality, and alignment of the existing buildings, while still speaking an independent language. Between the buildings, differentiated outdoor spaces open, serving both private and communal uses, strengthening the connection to the lake.

Architecturally, the transformation is defined by the interplay of old and new. The existing fabric, with its raw materials, exposed structures, and industrial proportions, remains legible. New elements deliberately set contrasts without overshadowing the historical substance. Wood, glass, and exposed concrete form a restrained palette that accentuates the qualities of the existing. Material choices follow the principle of robustness and durability, carrying forward the industrial heritage.

The internal organization of the new uses responds flexibly to diverse needs. Spacious, loft-like areas stand alongside clearly structured apartments. Communal rooms and workspaces complement the living program, fostering exchange among residents and users. Permeability between living, working, and public space is a central theme, expressed in open ground-floor zones, workshops, and cafés. The result is not a closed residential enclave, but a lively place engaged in dialogue with its neighborhood.

Special attention was given to landscape and open space design. The industrial character of the Rohrfabrik continues outdoors, for instance through the reuse of materials and the deliberate exposure of historical traces. At the same time, new spaces with high amenity value have been created, establishing connections to the landscape and water. Paths, courtyards, and gardens interlink the various parts of the site, strengthening its identity as a coherent neighborhood.

Sustainability played a significant role in the development. The reuse of the existing fabric saves grey energy and preserves historical values. The new volumes are compact and designed for energy efficiency. Natural light, effective ventilation, and a considered energy concept contribute to the high quality of living and working.

In sum, the Rohrfabrik project represents an exemplary transformation of an industrial site into a contemporary and diverse living environment. It bridges history and future, preserves the character of place, and at the same time opens new possibilities. Architecture provides a framework in which diverse ways of life can unfold, showing how careful continuation of the existing fabric can reinterpret and reinvigorate a site.

Client: Private

Planning: Rossetti+Wyss Architekten, Ingenieurbüro Hansruedi Schlatter, Zürcher Elektroplanungen AG, KWP Energieplan AG, Bünder Sanitärplanung AG, Bakus Bauphysik & Akustik GmbH

Photos: © Jürg Zimmermann