Markus und Daniel, together with Spillmann.echsle architects didn’t opt for a guerilla store or a hip factory building, but went in a different direction: what is the most fitting look and material for a FREITAG store? The SHOP ZURICH (realised by Raumbau) is built completely from recycled shipping containers. They were gutted, reinforced and stacked 26 m high, a 17-container FREITAG skyscraper with 4 sales floors and 1600 bags on offer.

It is low enough not to violate the city’s restrictions on high-rise buildings, but high enough to do truckspotting from the roof (lovingly fitted with a telescope). One solid piece of a shop!

So now Zurich has a new architectural landmark: the Bonsai Skyscraper. At least until 2010 that is, when the buildings on the Maag estate (including the FREITAG factory) will be demolished to make way for what will be the tallest skyscraper in Switzerland.

“The bag is an urban tool, a saddlebag for the city cowboy (and the small-town deputy) that links what is real with what is virtual and carries it all over the world”. (Max Kung in F-Book, Lars Muller Publisher, Baden. 2001)

FREITAG SHOP ZURICH
Address: 17 Geroldstrasse, CH-8005 Zurich
Tel: +41 43 366 9520
zuerich@freitag.ch
https://www.freitag.ch