PAULA SCHILLIGER STUDIO

Wibich Housing Estate

Competition in Zurich, Switzerland
2024-2025
3rd Prize
In collaboration with Lena Paulsson

 The Wibich Estate, part of the Genossenschaft Waidberg in Wipkingen, Zürich, comprises three large residential buildings, housing around 160 residents. In 2024, the cooperative launched an open competition to refurbish the estate and increase its capacity.

The buildings, largely dating from 1928, with one replacement structure from 1984, are defined by their ochre facades, steeply pitched roofs, and generous green spaces with mature trees. Despite these qualities, the site is currently underutilised, lacks barrier-free access, and has lost some of its architectural cohesion through past alterations.

The proposal preserves the estate’s inherent character while carefully building upon it. Ground interventions are minimised, maintaining the existing footprint, while precise adaptations improve accessibility and add private outdoor areas.
A lightweight rooftop extension introduces 35 new apartments, creating a unified roofscape and facade that ties together buildings from different eras. The original structures are preserved and reinforced where necessary, allowing old and new to interlock into a cohesive whole. The character of the historic buildings remains legible, particularly in the lower floors, while the additions introduce a greater variety of dwelling types.

In total, the new scheme offers 82 apartments for around 244 residents. Shared facilities – such as communal rooms, laundry areas, workshops, and a bicycle repair shop – activate the ground floor and connect directly to the outdoor spaces, fostering social interaction and a strong sense of community within the estate.

The project was awarded the 3rd prize.




Sections through the different building types
Facade section and elevation
Ground Floor Plan
First Floor Plan
Second Floor Plan
Third Floor Plan
Fourth Floor Plan
Model image of a typical apartment on the 1st floor
Model image of an apartment in the extension (2nd/ 3rd floor)

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