Dorfplatz

Zumikon, Switzerland
4th prize
2020

The new design for the Dorfplatz in Zumikon is conceived as a carpet which is rolled out on the village square. This recognizable gesture gives the new center a strong identity and forms the basis for future uses and appropriations. The slightly elevated position of the carpet gives the square an representational value and allows the trees in the garden to build up more soil for their root growth. Due to the central position of the newly proposed pavilion, two zones are created that are differentiated in terms of their usability and atmosphere. The “stage”, which is mostly open and freely usable, is delimited by the existing space-defining building facades. As a counterpoint, the "garden" is characterized by the existing green corridor and offers informal and intimate places to stay.

The pavilion occupies a central position on the village square. The result is an elegant and compact structure that reacts to and interacts with the surrounding space. The position and shape of the pavilion are defined by two geometries: the roof reflects the orthogonal shape of the village square in its floor plan, and the footprint relates to the underground space organization. The folded roof acts as a connecting element and creates an atmospheric public space underneath.

Kazuo Shinohara, Tanigawa House, Karuizawa, Japan 1974

Due to its roof shape, the pavilion refers to the surrounding pitched roofs and is integrated into the Zumikon townscape. The materialization consists of a light construction made of steel and wood. This solution not only simplifies the structural principles, but also gives the pavilion and roof a feeling of lightness.

The pavilion is deliberately left without a defining use and receives its strong identity through its flexibility and possibilities. We envision the pavilion as a new, exciting place for various occasions, which the community and the residents of Zumikon can use with various activities. Under the folding roof, a sculptural space offers the opportunity for one-off and repetitive events, which are supplemented by ancillary rooms such as a small kitchen, a toilet and a storage room. These events can be small and informal: the residents of the village can rent the space to celebrate a birthday, organize gymnastics classes or hold book presentations. In other cases, the pavilion becomes public and supports everyday life on the square: The large windows are opened to the square for a concert or the room becomes a place where works of art by a local artist are exhibited. The pavilion also implies moments without an event: the interior can be used as an exhibition showcase for works of art, passers-by can rest on one of the benches or enjoy the shade under the folding roof.

Location: Dorfplatz, Zumikon, Switzerland
Year: 2020
Type: Public space and pavilion
Client: Gemeinde Zumikon
Collaboration: SKALA