The "picturesque promenade" at Hohlstrasse 418 in Zurich is a delicate interior design in which conservation of the existing, reuse and creation of atmosphere are woven into a coherent whole. The 274 m² apartment, located in a listed building dating from the turn of the century, was carefully transformed without losing its historic character. Instead of radical interventions, the baubüro in situ relied on targeted modifications, such as the demolition of certain walls, to create generous spatial relationships. In the center of the apartment in particular - between the kitchen, dining room and living room - an open, light-flooded continuum is created, structured by a judicious color scheme.
This is the so-called "picturesque promenade" that gives the complex its name, a design principle in which each room has its own chromatic identity. Warm tones of yellow and red characterize the common spaces, while cooler tones of blue and green create a calm atmosphere in the secluded areas. The rooms are arranged in an enfilade, giving rise to changing perspectives and moods as you pass through them - a conscious staging of space and color, inspired by historic turn-of-the-century interiors, which also gave each room an individual stamp.
In the layout, too, the project is resolutely focused on reuse. For example, the existing kitchen dating from the 1990s was not replaced, but gently reworked and re-integrated. Colors, materials and details are subtly taken up, complemented and transformed. The result is an interior that is both comfortable and clearly structured, bringing old and new together in a natural way. The "picturesque walk" shows how reuse in interior design can be not only ecologically sound, but also creatively inspiring - a project that creates atmosphere without losing substance.
