Single house for sale - 8051 Zürich

Living in a detached house in the city of Zurich, amidst protected nature between forest and stream, 15 minutes from the main station and the airport.

Surrounded by a beautifully grown garden with fruit trees, grapes, a private well and unobstructed views into the green: an atmospheric place of peace with plenty of light and well integrated into the area. Open spaces on three floors and natural materials create cosiness and variety. Those who live here hear the buzzing of bees instead of the hum of time, accompanied by the ringing of cowbells. At the rear foot of the wooded Züriberg, the house is naturally situated in the gently rolling landscape with high-stemmed fruit trees, gardens, fields and meadows. The property borders the stream to the northeast. Rarely does a car pass by, the access road is exclusive to the few residents. Further along the way, you can reach the old brickworks on foot or by bike, today the Ziegelhütte restaurant.

Spatial wonder between forest and stream

The pure wood construction from the ground floor with the overhanging pitched roof, the asymmetrically placed roof sections and the wooden slat facade fits into the rural surroundings. The ETH architects took measurements of farmhouses, barns and utility buildings and skilfully transferred the project to the present day. The house's radiance is so friendly that it makes you smile inwardly as you approach it. The Swedish mud-white of the facade points to the Bullerbü effect: lightheartedness, happiness in your own corner. This house is a compact tool like one made by Victorinox, and ingeniously and logically satisfies the needs of the residents down to the last detail.

Consistent spatial play with variations

So much generosity, cosiness and functionality on three floors must first be imitated. Between the canopy and the house facade with entrance, a multifunctional front zone spans. Ground and attic floors are pure wooden constructions. The terrace in front of the kitchen area is ideal for breakfast and lunch. Inspired by Japan: The level of the kitchen is lowered by one step. Kitchen block covering and poured stone are made of concrete and were cast on site - to the left is the exit to the terrace, to the right the actual house entrance. The living area between plastered fireplace and cupboard gives a clear view of the garden and stream. The low-lying window is secured by a famous scissor railing, which was developed by the architects together with steel and dreams. The highlight: When the window is closed, it disappears into the wall.

Building in the Ziegelhöhe conservation area

You can't build here anymore. The residents can enjoy the paradisiacal surroundings in peace. The building regulations in the conservation area set clear limits regarding the size, orientation and typology of the new building, which had to be "essentially similar" to the old building: <>, say the architects. Downhill, the 1,300 square meter property borders the wooded stream. The three-story residential house is located near the southern access and offers far-reaching views of forests and fields.

Generosity and freedom in timber construction

An atmosphere of order, peace - belonging and joie de vivre - is inherent in the house. Light and natural materials. Simple construction. Performative spaces that promote variable uses. Nature is always present in the house, as a silent force in the background. Or as a resource in the outdoor space for recreation and movement.

The roof

An outstanding feature of the building is the overhanging roof with corrugated eternit covering, another invention of the architects. Special corrugated glass panes were developed for the project with a North German glassworks. The now transparent part of the roof skin brings a pleasant quality of light into the house. It illuminates the threshold spaces between inside and outside and the attic as a whole. The construction of the house is a pure timber construction for the ground and attic floors, which stands on the concrete-timber base of the garden floor.

Living comfortably and structured in the flow of space

On the ground floor, you enter the three-story, flowing space structured by niches and level differences: natural generosity on a compact floor plan. Full-height, plastered cupboards skilfully divide the ground floor into zones for entrance, dining, living, cooking - from each zone you have access and visual contact to the outside. The wide, built-in benches transform the dining nook into a comfortable nature-observation station.

1,300 m² natural garden: the most beautiful room

The dialogue between architecture and landscape is exceptionally well-executed. Between outdoor and indoor spaces. The landscape architects of the renowned mavo Landschaften planned and realised a natural garden that integrates exemplarily and harmoniously into the topography and location.

District 12, district with a big heart and green lung

Schwamendingen is a planned city. From the former farming village, an urban residential quarter with a super-high proportion of green space has developed. It was designed in 1948 by the then city building master Albert Heinrich Steiner in the spirit of the English garden city. The housing cooperatives of the 1950s were guided by Steiner's super-structure plan. These settlements are now partly being replaced with contemporary garden city concepts. For example, with the great Avellana settlement by EMI architects. The Auhof open-air swimming pool by architects Ernst Gisel and Ernst Baumann is also refreshing. The transformation of District 12 is dynamic, almost booming. A network of residential, working, shopping and recreational areas is emerging, structured by attractive landscape spaces and developed by efficient transport infrastructures. Garden city, charming diversity, rough charm, all connected with well-planned natural areas, this is the traditional DNA of the quarter. And this is currently being strengthened structurally and content-wise. Further signs of the positive urban transformation are the motorway enclosure over almost a kilometre in length, from the Aubrugg heating plant (architecture Pierre Zoelly) to the Schöneich tunnel: Schwamendingen is growing together. A park and meeting space has been created above the motorway.

In the heart of Zurich, absolutely

Short distances: 15 tram minutes to the city centre or the airport, 30 minutes' walk to the Masoala Hall, Zurich Zoo, 10 minutes by bus to Oerlikon or Stettbach and 5 minutes' walk to the Schwamendingerplatz district centre. Here, Coop, Migros, Post Office, pharmacy, drugstore, library and hairdresser fulfil almost all wishes. In the immediate vicinity of Hubenstrasse 97: Ziegelhütte restaurant and the organically run Huebhof.