Kilchberg: A villa and its 14 friends – Horgen

They were detained in Kilchberg already squatters or unemployed students. But neither one nor the other applies to them. And yet, it's an extraordinary community that rents and lives the Felber villa directly above the Kilchberg station for two years. "We are not a goal-WG," says Michael Weyrich, one of the residents. "We all made the conscious decision not only to live together, but to live together." It means being honest, caring and generous.

Kino, Malatelier, Fonduestübli

What also unites the twelve men and two women aged 26 to 41: their creativity and their artistic talents. It becomes clear on a journey of discovery through the 24 rooms of the old villa. In the basement, they created various sewing, pottery and painting workshops. There is also a music room, a cinema, a wall full of hats or a fondue chair under the roof.

"We simply need space to face our creative potential," says Remo Hiltebrand, a long-time member of the WG. Before moving to Kilchberg in 2016, the fourteen friends lived most of the time in an old winemaker's house on Nordstrasse 331 in Zurich Wipkingen. But they were known far beyond the district. Because the collective 331 – as they call themselves the old house number – has transformed its own garden several Sundays in a summer cafe. For example, residents of the nearby retirement home met with young and old people in the neighborhood. "Things have become more and more important," remembers Remo Hiltebrand. "At the last implementation came 1400 people, it degenerated in a positive way."

Free coffee for commuters

Create meetings, bring people together .That was the Kilchberg collective For example, over the last two years, villagers have been inviting people from the neighborhood several times: "I remember two neighbors who were talking to each other for the first time in our garden, even though they lived side by side. coast for years, "says Weyrich with a smile on his face.

Being able to inspire one another for something is one of his great strengths. The young people are convinced of this, and so it was with his action called Milchberger Kafibar The idea: Kilchberger commuters on their way to the station are surprised, says Benjamin Siegenthaler, GT resident, "For a week, two of us stood next to our house the ma and gave coffee to people. "Many commuters had been somewhat" irritated "by the free offer. In August, the collective 331 found something: in the garden of the villa, it organizes a brunch with live music for the public, in addition to residents and artist friends will offer their works for sale.

Excerpted in September

There will be more festivals thereafter in Villa Felber. The owner of today demolishes the building in the fall and builds a new condominium in the same place. On the one hand, this marks the end of the story of a villa that for decades served not only as a residential building but also as a private clinic and medical office for the old family. Felber owner. The family doctor René Felber and his wife Friederike have also preserved a valuable porcelain collection.

On the other hand, the demolition means that the 14 current residents must find a new home by the end of September. They are still searching. "We would like to stay somewhere in the Zurich area," says Michael Weyrich. But more importantly is how: "We also want to be creative in the new place and have open doors for friends and neighbors."

Mercado Artisano – craft market with brunch and music, Wednesday, August 1, 11am to 5pm Market and brunch, from 6pm music, bar and grill, Villa Felber garden, Weinbergstrasse 26, Kilchberg [19659012] (Zürichsee-Zeitung)