This balcony is situated in the old town of Zürich between Bahnhofstrasse and Lindenhof. It is part of a 5-story-building including the attic level. The balcony and the building itself present themselves in a variety of styles and materials. Considering the location of the building within it’s historical context, this could be a hint towards an additional purpose other than mere functionality.
For instance, the use of volutes, pillars and capitals are a clear references. On the other hand, the use of bricks, starting from the second floor upwards, pay tribute to functionality. While it appears as if the ground- and first floor have been solidly constructed out of stone, it could also be a facade made of stoneplates or an entirely different material. Since we know the main layer of both balcony and floor are made of concrete, there seems to be reason for inquiry. Lastly, the railings and it’s ornamented ironwork are made of steel. The primary visual characteristic is defined by the position of the balcony: It is built into a corner. In addition, there is a horizontal gap between the edge of the building and the start of the balcony; this enables multiple functions, such as protection from wind, sound and sight from one side and it also still allows a person to peak around it. Thus, the balcony has this protective and somewhat hiding element, which largely accounts to it’s main allure, solely through it’s positioning as this effect of discretion is automatically given by building into said corner. Concerning it’s function, it can be determined as part of the living space, adding outdoor-space to the interior. The balcony is accessible through a one-winged framed glass door and is complemented by a two winged window on the very next vertical surfaces.
