Architecture

Zurich apartment building offers affordable rent and a whole lot of concrete

Zurich apartment building offers affordable rent and a whole lot of concrete
Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse's interior is mostly made up of concrete
Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse's interior is mostly made up of concrete
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Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse includes a total of nine apartments
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Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse includes a total of nine apartments
Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse's apartments include balconies and terraces
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Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse's apartments include balconies and terraces
Sliding glass windows open the living rooms to the outside
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Sliding glass windows open the living rooms to the outside
Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse comprises four two-bedroom apartments measuring 60 sq m (645 sq ft) each and five three bedroom apartments measuring 95 sq m (1,022 sq ft) each
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Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse comprises four two-bedroom apartments measuring 60 sq m (645 sq ft) each and five three bedroom apartments measuring 95 sq m (1,022 sq ft) each
Inside the bathroom in one of the Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse's apartments
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Inside the bathroom in one of the Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse's apartments
Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse was commissioned by the Baechi Foundation and is situated on a small plot in the Albisrieden area of Zurich
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Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse was commissioned by the Baechi Foundation and is situated on a small plot in the Albisrieden area of Zurich
Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse overlooks a sports field
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Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse overlooks a sports field
Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse is among the cheapest apartments to rent in Zurich, according to Gus Wüstemann Architects
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Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse is among the cheapest apartments to rent in Zurich, according to Gus Wüstemann Architects
Inside one of Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse's bedrooms
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Inside one of Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse's bedrooms
Wooden cabinetry and doors contrast with all the concrete in Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse
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Wooden cabinetry and doors contrast with all the concrete in Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse
Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse's interior is mostly made up of concrete
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Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse's interior is mostly made up of concrete
A ground-floor apartment opens to the outside
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A ground-floor apartment opens to the outside 
Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse's balconies feature wooden blinds
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Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse's balconies feature wooden blinds
Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse features simple furniture, including built-in shelving and benches
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Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse features simple furniture, including built-in shelving and benches
Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse comprises four two-bedroom apartments measuring 60 sq m (645 sq ft) each and five three bedroom apartments measuring 95 sq m (1,022 sq ft) each
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Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse comprises four two-bedroom apartments measuring 60 sq m (645 sq ft) each and five three bedroom apartments measuring 95 sq m (1,022 sq ft) each
Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse features simple furniture, including built-in shelving and benches
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Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse features simple furniture, including built-in shelving and benches
A sliding wooden door provides access to the bathroom
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A sliding wooden door provides access to the bathroom 
Inside one of the bathrooms in Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse
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Inside one of the bathrooms in Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse
Inside one of the kitchens in Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse
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Inside one of the kitchens in Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse
Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse's interior decor is enlivened with wood
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Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse's interior decor is enlivened with wood
Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse includes a total of nine apartments
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Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse includes a total of nine apartments
Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse offers some the cheapest apartments to rent in Zurich, according to Gus Wüstemann Architects
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Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse offers some the cheapest apartments to rent in Zurich, according to Gus Wüstemann Architects
Inside the bathroom of one of Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse's apartments
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Inside the bathroom of one of Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse's apartments
Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse's interior decor is enlivened with wood
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Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse's interior decor is enlivened with wood
Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse is a treat for fans of concrete, though those who don't like the style will likely find it too severe
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 Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse is a treat for fans of concrete, though those who don't like the style will likely find it too severe
Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse is surrounded by 1950s-era apartment buildings
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Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse is surrounded by 1950s-era apartment buildings
A sliding wooden door provides access to the bathroom
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A sliding wooden door provides access to the bathroom
Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse's main staircase
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Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse's main staircase
Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse's kitchen has a drop-down table
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Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse's kitchen has a drop-down table
Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse includes a total of nine apartments
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Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse includes a total of nine apartments
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Most of the concrete architecture projects we cover are luxury homes for the wealthy. Not the Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse though, as this concrete apartment building offers some of the cheapest apartments to rent in Zurich, Switzerland, according to Gus Wüstemann Architects.

Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse is situated on a small plot in the Albisrieden area of Zurich, and is surrounded by 1950s-era apartment buildings.

Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse was commissioned by the Baechi Foundation and is situated on a small plot in the Albisrieden area of Zurich
Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse was commissioned by the Baechi Foundation and is situated on a small plot in the Albisrieden area of Zurich

It comprises four two-bedroom apartments measuring 60 sq m (645 sq ft) each and five three bedroom apartments measuring 95 sq m (1,022 sq ft). Each home has either one or two balconies or terrace areas, depending on which floor the apartment is on and its size. They are reached by sliding glass doors and shaded by wooden blinds.

Even compared with other concrete homes we've covered, the interior decor is very minimalist and includes built-in shelving and benches. Wooden cabinetry and sliding doors in the kitchens and bathrooms do provide a contrast and the overall look will be appreciated by fans of the style – though no doubt some will find it too severe.

Wooden cabinetry and doors contrast with all the concrete in Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse
Wooden cabinetry and doors contrast with all the concrete in Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse

"The Baechi Foundation specifically asked for affordable housing with a great quality of living in the center of Zurich," says Gus Wüstemann Architects. "Natural light, privacy and a spatial moment of generosity, were the focus of this project. The rents had to be affordable and so all the flats were rented out considerably cheap – the rent is amongst the cheapest in the city of Zurich."

We've asked Gus Wüstemann Architects exactly how cheap rent is at Affordable Housing Langgrütstrasse, but have yet to hear back.

Source: Gus Wüstemann Architects

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4 comments
4 comments
fb36
IMHO, our world needs many many more projects/buildings like this @ much bigger sizes/scales, to provide cheap & safe & durable housing, that requires minimal maintenance, for as many as people possible!
(Instead of keep building expensive luxury homes/apartments, which require constant expensive maintenance & not really safe against fire, flood, earthquake etc!)
piperTom
I'm quite sure that the landlords and builders in my area will work with state & local governments to create building codes and zoning restrictions to keep this kind of thing away. Why even HAVE a government, if it can't keep prices high for the cronies of the politicians?
mediabeing
One of the key problems with apartments is the noise coming from next door.
I wish the 'reporter' had told us much more about these apartments as far as how they are to actually live in. Does the neighbor's subwoofer ruin the living space of others?
Next time, tell us about things a real renter would be concerned about.
Thinker
Hate to be a downer, but it’s starkness reminds me of institutions such as jails, hospitals, places you don’t want to stay at for long.