Altstetten is undergoing a complete transformation around Flurstrasse: the commercial site is being converted into a mixed-use neighbourhood and significantly densified in the process. The existing, unrelated juxtaposition of bulky commercial buildings with shapeless spaces between them is coming under pressure, because residential neighbourhoods have different requirements in terms of the legibility of public space and comprehensible, identity-forming streets, squares and courtyards. The new PWG residential building is far too small to shape such a development – but it must support it. It can do this by framing the street line over as long a length as possible. That is why the entire available length up to the plot boundary is being used. The longer and taller the building is, the narrower it can remain and the greater becomes the distance to the existing neighbouring building on Hädrichstrasse. This will please the tenants on both sides as well as the spreading trees that are to grow here! The denser the city becomes, the more important it is to open up the ground floor to the urban space instead of sealing it off and concealing the usual «garden flats» behind it. That is why a colonnade towards the street side gesturally marks the opening to the urban space.
It is well possible to establish a rapport with the austere commercial building opposite: We readily adopt the ribbon window motif from the existing structure, which allows for a variety of room layouts. Because the living spaces are not deep but are positioned lengthwise along the façade, the ribbon window on the courtyard side can remain narrow, that is, have a high parapet and a deep lintel. The front and long sides are deliberately differentiated: the exposed front is solid and sturdy, while the long sides are tectonic and fragile. Loggias at the corners of the building mediate between the two differently articulated façades.
