Methoden der Stadtforschung
Prof. Christian Schmid
ETH Zürich - HS 2021 - group work
The residential tower of the “Zentrum Töss” attracts Winterthur’s attention with its height of almost 41 meters. The Brutalist building, erected in 1970, houses the covered market passage in its base, which is occupied by shops and sporadically used for flea markets. The high-rise colossus shapes the appearance of Töss and has been polarizing opinion for years.
Our analysis has shown that opinions on the centre differ widely. Some would prefer to raze the whole area to the ground, others find it worth protecting and would like to preserve it. In our opinion, the main problem of the Zentrum Töss is the covered and thus very gloomy ground floor, which cannot offer any security to the residents, as well as the village square, which is located on the first floor, a failed city concept which aged poorly.
By reviving Zentrum Töss it was our most important goal to have a cost-efficient solution and one that does not fuel gentrification. Our project therefore deals with the opening up of the ground floor ceiling so that the market passage appears brighter, friendlier and more inviting, as well as a relocation of the village square to the ground floor so that it is used as such again.
