Brunaupark

The new Brunaupark brings a new type of living quality in Zurich. On the one hand facing lush green nature, while on the other the city life, it bridges between these two qualities and brings its own unique urbanity to the site. The open spaces do not try to compete with either the city or the Allmend, but rather take advantage of both. We do not propose lush nature as this is found a few meters to the south, we just ensure a perfect access and connection to it. We do not provide city wide public spaces, as there can be found in the Sihl City or further in the city. What we provide is a living landscape that combines the two. A green urban courtyard that relates to both the city and nature. Where residents can get together, play or organize events, but where working life, shopping and restaurants can also find a spot.

Brunaupark is not a gated community or enclosed private block, but rather a subtle series of carefully choreographed collective spaces. The design of open spaces plays with the transition from public to private, without fencing or bordering, but by always offering quality to the space. Our proposal includes a variety of spaces of different scales; spaces for the city, such as the Allmend or green square leading onto it; spaces for the entire development such as the pond, or central squares; collective sports and play areas for a few towers on shared roofs; up to private balconies. It includes a specific public space for every level of collectivity slowly making the transition from city to apartment.

This hierarchy from city to individual space is always articulated through the design of the landscape. The transition from public to collective is always marked by a height difference with several steps, an informal square and change in materialization. This marks the transition without closing it off, and ensures the space still feels private while allowing for the occasional passer-by. Frontages of apartment buildings are marked by slight height differences and change in materialization or even linear green elements such as hedges. Through materialization, height and greenery, these transitions are always carefully articulated, ensuring that the site feels more and more private as you more deeper into it but that it remains anchored in the surroundings.