Restoration / Reconstruction «Im Birkenhof» Zürich, 2016 - 2025

Im Birkenhof was built in 1925-1926 to plans by architects Albert Froelich, Karl Kündig and Heinrich Oetiker. With its open corner areas, Birkenhof is an early example of the open courtyard perimeter development that became the norm in subsequent cooperative housing estates. 

The listed building ensemble of around 100 apartments, in which not only the facades but also large parts of the interior are considered worthy of preservation, has been carefully restored for a further 30 years of use. In particular, the heating and building services, including kitchens and bathrooms, have been completely replaced and fire safety deficiencies have been rectified. The building envelope was also enhanced for energy efficiency. By carefully intervening in the largely original building fabric and surroundings, the existing high quality of living from the 1920s is maintained and further strengthened. The aim of the planned measures has always been to maintain the extremely affordable living space for the same tenant segment.