Muehlebachstreet, Zurich

Although the footprint of the corner apartment building is kept to a minimum, its size is increased on the upper floors with balconies and cube-shaped extensions. With wavy terracotta panels and horizontal black aluminium bands that run around the building at each fl oor level, the unusual building shell makes a bold statement among the otherwise strictly formal design of the building. Special press moulds were manufactured for the ceramic elements, which are reminiscent of a curtain and conjure up exciting effects that vary according to the incident light. The clever, back-ventilated façade system utilises the aluminium bands as the mounting point for the substructure and railings