ArchShowcase 
Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. K.I.S.S. – Residential and Commercial Development in Zurich, Switzerland by Evolution Design AGDecember 16th, 2015 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: Evolution Design AG The Swiss architecture and design practice Evolution Design, in close collaboration with the client Swiss Life, created 46 individual 2.5-4.5 room maisonettes and flats with a unique concept. The aim was to develop flats, which would go beyond the functionality and offer an ideal added value as well as have their own identity. This approach responds to the increasing need of individuality and plurality in our current society. Therefore the development of KISS’s design put the future tenant and his personal lifestyle at the centre of its thinking.  Image Courtesy © Peter Wurmli
 Image Courtesy © Peter Wurmli However, the prerequisite for this was an intensive market research study of the area, its infrastructure, its typical employers and their income class. This knowledge, together with the Sinus- Milieu Model, helped gathering potential customers of similar lifestyles and perceptions into three specific target groups.  Image Courtesy © Peter Wurmli  Image Courtesy © Peter Wurmli The result was a bold concept of individual maisonettes with striking interior designs. The tenant is given the choice between three exemplary apartment types offering individual experiences. This creates a whole new living concept enabling the choice between apartments based on identical layouts but with their own character, carrying names such as CLASSIC, INDUSTRIAL and FUNKY.  Image Courtesy © Peter Wurmli  Image Courtesy © Peter Wurmli Apartment types The two-storey spaces in the maisonettes offer an imposing stage bringing out the distinctive characteristics of the apartment types. Funky, for example is for (K)Cool , Insiders, Snowboarders and Surfers/Sea-lovers (K.I.S.S.). In the Funky flat the bathroom has a porthole window and graffiti graphics on the open plan living room main wall. The Classic Maisonette offers a more (K)Cultured, International, Subtle and Style conscious feel (K.I.S.S.). Wooden floors and light, matching colours in the kitchen, bathroom and living / eating room offer a fresh, comfortable space. The INDUSTRIAL tenants are (K)Clear Industrial, Sovereign and Sympathetic (K.I.S.S.). Clear and contemporary exposed concrete, stainless steel in the kitchen and plywood panels add their own character to this flat.  Image Courtesy © Peter Wurmli  Image Courtesy © Peter Wurmli The conclusion Until now, urban, middle class individuals had very little opportunity to fulfil their dream of an individualistic home. Evolution Design has proved that it is possible with its project KISS to create an innovative and successful product within attractive market prices. KISS sets an example in the rental market with its uniquely designed apartments and a clear marketing concept. The tenants felt intuitively attracted by the unique qualities of the project and instantly strongly identified with their prospective new apartments. The often quite creative and enthusiastic apartment applications spoke for themselves. Demand has widely exceeded availability though. The on-going interest shows that K.I.S.S. is not a niche product but a response to the needs of this ever-changing society. With this new development in the rental apartment construction, K.I.S.S. is a pilot project for a new typology.  Image Courtesy © Peter Wurmli  Image Courtesy © Peter Wurmli Urban development + architecture Location and use K.I.S.S. occupies a striking corner plot and thereby creates an independent building sculpture. Commercial areas are located on the ground floor while the upper floors are occupied by the apartments. Outer shell The north and south façade create an opposition – to the north of Badenerstrasse, the shiny almost leather like façade with slightly tilted metal window frames gives the building its unmistakable identity. The window openings are designed differently for each apartment type and reflect the position of the apartment typologies within the building. The building opens up towards the south and the sun with floor height windows and generous terraces and balconies. The delicate suspended balconies, individually designed with coloured blinds to match the apartment typology on the inside, give the south façade a friendly and lively feel.  Image Courtesy © Peter Wurmli  Image Courtesy © Peter Wurmli Wayfinding + signage The sun-lit corridors open up over two neutral coloured, exposed concrete staircases. The strongly coloured wall surface of each corridor reflects the apartment type behind it. This enables everyone to experience the mixed apartment types in their diversity.  Image Courtesy © Peter Wurmli  Image Courtesy © Peter Wurmli Structural details Flexibility Despite the high degree of customised design, KISS was created in the long-term for flexibility and variability. The interior design concepts can be easily adapted to changing needs within the typical scope of maintenance of a building. Additionally, the structural concept allows the interconnection of individual apartments as well as converting all the commercial surfaces into one large, combined space.  Image Courtesy © Peter Wurmli  Image Courtesy © Peter Wurmli Outer shell The colour effect and tactile quality of the plaster façades results from layering of multiple different colours by using a special application technique of the render on the external insulation. Adding suspended, coloured, anodized aluminum window frames in different formats enhances this. The glazed southern façade is made of an anodized aluminum curtain wall system and high-quality wood/metal windows (interior wood, exterior aluminum) with triple glazing.  Image Courtesy © Peter Wurmli  Image Courtesy © Peter Wurmli  Image Courtesy © Peter Wurmli  Image Courtesy © Peter Wurmli  Image Courtesy © Peter Wurmli  Image Courtesy © Peter Wurmli  Image Courtesy © Peter Wurmli  Image Courtesy © Peter Wurmli  Image Courtesy © Peter Wurmli
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Tags: Switzerland, Zurich Categories: Apartments, Building, Commercial Building, Housing Development, Residential, Vectorworks |
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