Ryffel Area, Wetzikon CH, 2023

In the Ryffel area, urban contrasts come together today: to the south, a large-scale commercial and residential complex, and to the north, the heritage-protected ensemble around Wetzikon Castle, which includes the farmhouse. To the west, the increasingly urban Bahnhofstrasse, and to the east, the leisurely Schlossbach stream. In this dynamic setting, the area serves as a hinge between different realities.
The urban design concept arises from the desire to create a permeable, diverse, and finely structured cluster, inspired by the current spatial structure. The farmhouse and two new replacement buildings form an ensemble of three structures. Their placement and shape clearly zone the outdoor space: in the center of the ensemble, a courtyard with an urban character emerges, which transitions into a nature-oriented and intimate natural space towards the Schlossbach. The urban form integrates into the surroundings. The six-story, freestanding volume in the north corresponds to the eaves height of the castle, while the seven-story annex in the south connects with the adjacent existing building.
The new volumes enable high living quality with high density and harmonize with the context in their height development. The apartments are designed to combine small-scale structure with long internal views and create various places within the space, akin to a small town.

Client Stadtbauentwicklungs AG
Time 2022-2023
Team Tommi Mäkynen, Mirjam Niemeyer, Zofia Józefowicz
Collaborator Cadrage Landschaftsarchitekten