Nineteenth- and 20th-century urban villas are just as much a part of Zurich’s cityscape as Lake Zurich or the white-and-blue trams. One of these is the Villa Allenmoos in Zurich Oerlikon. The urban villa was built in 1908 as a three-family house, and is a shining example of villas of this period with its hipped mansard roof, bays and towers.
In 2012, a couple decided to buy the Allenmoos villa: The well-preserved building structure and the original floor plans were exactly what they were looking for. The new owners only wished to add a garden pavilion to the building. Since 2014, this new modern building has been located in the garden next to the old walls.
The old building did not undergo much change as part of the renovation. Installations that were added over the years were dismantled to reveal the original building structure. The building was energy-optimised, and the room assignment was changed.
Externally, the new building offers contrast to the old building structures. Internally, the architects took the materials of the old parts, connecting both the buildings with subtle reminiscences. The glass separation between the living room and study attracts particular attention, creating a semi-transparent division between living and working spaces, and offering a modern interpretation of the bay glazing of the old building. The transitions between the rooms have a fluid design. The continuous 35-grade Silverline Edition Oak Silver parquet floor by Bauwerk Parkett adds a gentle colour highlight. The deep-brushed and naturally oiled planks with a length of almost 3 metres subtly emphasise the spaciousness of the new rooms. The steps between the new and old buildings are made out of Villapark Oak and are smoked, deep-brushed and naturally oiled, visually representing a step stool, and creating a playful connection between the two areas. In the living room, four steps lead directly to the old villa garden. The residents can use the wood-covered terrace to enjoy both their new house and their garden.
