This Apartment Building Has Four Staircases and No Interior Corridors
David Ingram — September 28, 2015 — Art & Design
References: herzogdemeuron & dezeen
Swiss architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron designed this exposed concrete apartment building that maximizes space by eliminating interior corridors.
Located outside the city of Zurich in Switzerland, this eight-storey concrete building houses 32 apartments in total that were designed to be a spacious as possible. To eliminate the need for corridors inside the building, four spiraling corner staircases were built, granting access to each of the four apartments that make up every floor. Each apartment can also be accessed by an elevator that opens into the units' kitchens as well.
The cylindrical staircases draw attention to each corner of this simple concrete apartment building and complement the simple grid system of this design. Both the interior and exterior of the building also feature an exposed concrete theme, with certain surfaces and mistakes left unfinished for a rough and raw aesthetic feel throughout.
Located outside the city of Zurich in Switzerland, this eight-storey concrete building houses 32 apartments in total that were designed to be a spacious as possible. To eliminate the need for corridors inside the building, four spiraling corner staircases were built, granting access to each of the four apartments that make up every floor. Each apartment can also be accessed by an elevator that opens into the units' kitchens as well.
The cylindrical staircases draw attention to each corner of this simple concrete apartment building and complement the simple grid system of this design. Both the interior and exterior of the building also feature an exposed concrete theme, with certain surfaces and mistakes left unfinished for a rough and raw aesthetic feel throughout.
Trend Themes
1. Exposed Concrete Aesthetic - Opportunity for designers and manufacturers to create innovative materials and finishes that embrace the raw and rough look of exposed concrete.
2. Maximizing Space - Potential for architects and construction companies to explore creative spatial solutions that eliminate the need for interior corridors, maximizing usable space.
3. Integrated Access Points - Room for technology companies to develop seamless and integrated access points, such as elevators opening directly into apartment kitchens, for improved convenience and efficiency.
Industry Implications
1. Architecture - Disruptive innovation opportunity for architects to rethink traditional building designs and incorporate new spatial strategies and materials.
2. Construction - Potential for construction companies to adopt innovative construction techniques and materials to create space-maximizing buildings without the need for interior corridors.
3. Interior Design - Opportunity for interior designers to explore the exposed concrete aesthetic, creating unique and contemporary living spaces that embrace raw materials and minimalistic designs.
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