Zollhaus

The Zollhaus was finished In 2021. It stands as one of the new milestones of Zurich’s cooperative movements. It Is the coopertive Kalkbreite’s second project. With It they tried to delve further In their principles for a sustainable development of housing, having special requirements for the mix of Inhabitants and a unique layout stressing the multiple uses of space. The common pool resources they share range from shared laundry spaces, kitchen spaces, shared roof terraces, but also other shared spaces Inside the building. The shared spaces Inside the building Include so-called “boxes”. These boxes are flexible spaces, who’s functions get determined by the council In the Zollhaus and once determined can get changed again.

The Inhabitants of the Zollhaus have been selected by a committee of the Genossenschaft Kalkbreite. This committee formed principles of letting, that had as a goal to let people live In the Zollhaus that represent the demographics and characteristics of the people getting ousted of Kreis 5 due to gentrification. Some other characteristics also contained gender affiliation. The goal was a most heterogenous mix of Inhabitants to the new Zollhaus.

Although the Zollhaus Is only open for a short while. The new Inhabitants have already made many successful attempts of appropriation of the building. The collective spaces such as the kitchens, courtyards and outside garden have been furnished by some groups within the residents of the Zollhaus. Also all commercial activity and the use of flex rooms and office spaces are fully booked and thriving.