Manuel Herz’s Ballet Mechanique Housing
In a residential part of central Zurich, architect Manuel Herz has designed a house with a striking façade comprising operable horizontal and vertical louvers. the building, which contains five residences, is located in close proximity to Le Corbusier’s ‘Heidi Weber Museum’ and references the institution’s colorful metal panels and striking geometry. the design also takes cues from its bucolic setting, which is filled with a surprising array of plants, installations, and objects.
The scheme comprises horizontal and vertical louvers with a rounded triangular shape, which unfold to become accessible balconies with corresponding roofs. The vertical louvers darken the rooms when closed, or provide privacy and intimacy when open. the adaptable nature of the design means that a series of temporary spaces can be created and used depending on the time of day or season.
