Are decisions regarding the place made jointly and transparently?

All of the residents of the Winkelhalden housing complex are also shareholders in the development. They own not only their own flats, but also the outdoor space and communal areas such as the bistro, the star lounge and the various workshops. Everyone has a say and can get involved in various groups. Participation is strongly encouraged, but voluntary.

Does the place serve its purpose?

The 44-unit development is aimed at people in the third stage of life who want to be part of an active community. A shareholders’ agreement regulates how the community idea is implemented and what happens in the event of death. This enables the shareholders to have a say in who moves into the complex, so that interaction between residents remains lively. Although not a cooperative, the Winkelhalden model is indeed similar.

Is the place distinguished by durable construction and little need for maintenance?

At the outset, the initiators invited six architectural firms to take part in a commissioned study. A key aspect of the brief was to design low-maintenance architecture and a flexible structure in case other floor plans are desired in the future. The winning scheme, by Zurich-based architecture firm op-arch, consists of a prefabricated concrete skeleton and double-wythe masonry, and is designed for a long service life. Heating for the residential units is provided by a geothermal probe and a photovoltaic system.

Is the place affordable thanks to economy of design, construction and operation?

The Winkelhalden housing complex is aimed at middle-class people who have accumulated some capital and are looking for an alternative to condominium ownership. Those who live here acquire an equity stake corresponding to the size of their dwelling unit and also pay a cost-based rent. The capital required is based on the gross floor area of the unit and is 4426 Swiss francs per square metre. For a 90-square-metre apartment, this amounts to just under 400,000 Swiss francs. Additional monthly rental costs depend on the size and location of the unit.

Does the place bring different people together?

The housing complex fosters interaction among its residents, with the neighbourhood and also with the village. A cultural group regularly organises events in the complex’s own hall, which are open to everyone. The residents are keen to welcome people from outside the area. There are a number of rooms that can be rented by clubs or individuals from the village. The complex is designed in such a way that living together here comes naturally.

Was the place thoroughly analysed prior to the intervention?

The site measures just over 8,000 square metres. The initiators submitted an illustrative site plan that allowed them to deviate from the building and zoning ordinance in accordance with special building regulations. The residential complex, with its light-coloured clinker brick façades, is designed as a cohesive, densely built whole. Its diverse outdoor spaces are cleverly interwoven. Outdoor corridors, open stairwells, alleyways and squares make the Winkelhalden complex a small village within a village.

Does the place contribute to social cohesion?

The private living spaces at Winkelhalden are rather small. On average, the residents have about 44 square metres per person, which is far less than what older people usually occupy. But Winkelhalden has communal rooms, workshops and outdoor spaces that complement the private space. The quality of a village where people know each other is combined here with proximity to the city of Zurich.

Does the place have an atmospheric impact on the beholder?

The complex is situated on a hillside not far from the city of Zurich, above the Oberrieden railway station, with views of Lake Zurich and the Glarus Alps. Three four-storey residential blocks parallel to the slope contain the majority of the flats. Behind these are three other, smaller buildings of mixed use. All six buildings are surrounded by generous outdoor spaces. Even before the development was finished in 2023, it had already grown together with its surroundings.