The character of the new district emerging in Dietikon near Zurich is markedly different from that of the nearby diffuse agglome-rations. The development plan is based on town planning which has its origins in the mid-19th century. It was decided that Zedernhof should incorporate several town houses. The design of the courtyard is unusu¬al: the extensive underground car park meant the communal spaces had to be located in front of the houses. The form of the porches narrows the courtyard space and then extends it, thus injecting interesting elements of movement. In addition the roofs are used as terraces, which help to save space.