Category: Projects

Vision for the further development of the "Metalli living space"

For Zug Estates the starting point is clear: the area around the “Metalli” shopping center has become an important meeting place for the city of Zug. In order for the quarter to be able to meet future needs after more than thirty years of existence, it must develop further. To this end, more space is to be created for living, working and leisure. In addition, there should be free spaces and new uses that offer the Zug population real added value.
In March of this year, Zug Estates and the city of Zug presented the first result of the joint planning process “Metalli living space”. The jury selected the study by the planning team Hosoya Schaefer Architects, NYX architectes, Lorenz Eugster Landscape Architecture and Urban Development and the Zug office of TEAMverkehr.zug for the future design. According to architect Markus Schaefer, the central idea of this further development project is to detach the "Metalli" from their island existence and to better intertwine them with their urban surroundings.
Development process lasting several years
Preserving the tried and tested and at the same time creating a lot of space for new things – this is how the basic idea for the future design of the 30,000 square meter living space “Metalli” in the heart of the city of Zug can be summarized. The results of the competition process are the first step in a multi-year joint development process by
Authorities and builders.
The urban development concept of the team around Hosoya Schaefer intends to preserve the majority of today's buildings around the shopping center. A new building is to be added, no more than seventy meters high, on the corner of Baarerstrasse and Metallstrasse. Several existing buildings will also be topped up. Overall, more space is to be created for apartments, hotels, offices, restaurants, shops and other, partly public-oriented uses. A spatial realignment and the demolition of existing buildings in places will create a new town square with space for a wide range of uses on Baarerstrasse on the Bahnhof-Metalli axis.
Acceptance in the population
"A defining feature of the new overall concept‹ Lebensraum Metalli ›is the upgrading of the outside space through more intensive greening across all spaces and along the connecting axes," says Deputy Head of Project Development and Overall Project Manager Florian Diener. Even the roof areas are included in the outdoor space concept and – also a concern of the Zug population – made partially accessible to the public. “The principle of the glass roofing of the shopping arcade is retained and will be expanded. The area around the Metalli shopping center is a central intersection on the Zug – Baar axis and an important functional urban space for the population of Zug. In order for it to be able to fulfill this task in the long term, it should be carefully further developed in line with the overall development of the city of Zug over the next few years. In addition to the requirements of the authorities and the landowner, concerns and wishes from the Zug population also flowed into the task for the three planning teams. “We communicate all project progress transparently, because public acceptance is the be-all and end-all of our project,” adds Diener.
Gradual implementation over the next few years
From the favored draft of the planning team under the leadership of Hosoya Schaefer Architects, a straightening project is created, which forms the basis for a later development plan. This process phase will take about two years. The first structural measures can therefore take place in 2023 at the earliest. "The final start of construction ultimately also depends on the will of politics and the population," emphasizes Florian Diener. ■

October 2020
Extended tram depot including 193 rental apartments

The new building project emerged as the winner of an architecture competition in 2016. The project was penned by Morger Partner Architects from Basel. The project was particularly convincing with its high space and volume efficiency, which, in addition to cost advantages, also promises energetic and operational benefits, emphasize the project managers. The building project “Tram depot and housing estate Depot Hard” includes the partial renovation of the existing, listed tram depot from 1912, the construction of a modern depot hall with a total of 25 tram parking spaces. In addition, there are provision, maintenance and repair areas as well as operating and service rooms for the Zurich transport company.
Living space for around 550 people
In addition, a new urban housing estate is being built with a total of 193 apartments of various sizes. It offers living space for around 550 people. In addition to apartments in the base construction on the Limmat, maisonette apartments (townhouses) are being built. They offer direct access to the courtyard. The offer is to be supplemented with apartment blocks in the two high-rise buildings. They extend to the 22nd and 23rd floors respectively. In addition, various studio, commercial and service areas as well as a public footpath and bicycle path with lounge areas are planned along the Limmat.
Tram depot as the base of the development
The new tram depot forms the base of the superstructure and is built over with two-storey row buildings as a geometric connection to the residential buildings of the existing complex, explain the project managers. This creates a relationship to the existing building both in terms of the height of the building and in terms of its geometry. The area between the row buildings is to be used as a spacious and versatile courtyard for the residents of the housing estate. The two high-rise residential buildings, which will be located together with the two existing high-rise buildings on the opposite side of Hardturmstrasse, mark the entrance to the Zurich-West quarter. ■

October 2020
Thalwil: development with rail connection

The “Talevo” project is to create sales and office space in the existing goods shed on the eastern part of Thalwil train station. In addition, attic apartments or offices are planned to be added. In addition to the goods shed, an architecturally and energetically high-quality residential complex is planned, which – according to the project managers – should be optimally networked with the quarters. Sales and office space are planned on the ground floor. There are also plans to plant around thirty trees on Bahnhofstrasse, creating an avenue-like character. The Thalwil voters will vote on it at one of the next community meetings. ■

October 2020
K118: A building made from construction waste

A project that could hardly be more sustainable: the extension of hall 118 on the storage area in Winterthur ZH was increased by five floors. And wherever possible with reusable building materials. The presence of such materials from demolitions in the region was decisive for the current appearance. The building is not yet completely finished: “The construction should be completed in early 2021,” says Benjamin Poignon, architect and civil engineer at “baubüro in situ”.
The Abendrot Foundation, based in Basel, bought the Lagerplatz area from Sulzer Immobilien AG in 2010. The direction of focus was quickly clear to the pension fund, which is committed to sustainability: the already existing mixed use should be further developed in cooperation with the tenants. Several new studios of up to 60 square meters for start-ups and small businesses are planned for each of the upper floors.
Although the buildings and their footprints were to be retained, they were to be further developed in terms of energy and in accordance with legal standards. The “construction office in situ” is responsible for the project. The project managers Marc Angst and Pascal Hentschel sum up the concept: «Repairing what can still be used. Remove what disturbs or is no longer suitable – and add what is new. "
Finding building materials is half the time
The supporting framework consists of an used steel structure. Prefabricated facade elements made of wood, which are filled with straw insulation, are attached to this. Such simple ecological building materials as straw, excavated earth and wood accumulate in large quantities and can be processed and used with a minimal use of gray energy. They also ensure a pleasant room climate.
The slightly overhanging south facade in bright brick red-orange comes from the sheet metal facade of the former Ziegler print shop in Winterthur Grüze. The windows in the new recycling building are inconsistent, but overall they are consistent. In order for the insulation to meet today's standards, the glazing was doubled in nine windows, the others had sufficient insulation. The staircase on the east facade is over 30 years old and previously adorned the facade of the Orion office building in Zurich-West. 80 windows and facade panels made of granite, which are recycled for the balcony floors, also come from this building, which was erected in 1989. The respective components are not reprocessed – this differentiates the project from so-called downcycling, in which building materials are initially reworked in a energy-intensive manner.
The architects have already learned a lot from this unique pilot project: “It is the first time that we have reused a supporting structure. But we also noticed that there are components that are cheaper to buy than to reuse. For example, we have tried to reuse limestone sandstone. But the cleaning and preparation work was so high that we decided to buy a new one here, ”explains architect Poignon. The project also created a new job: component hunter. The “baubüro In situ” hired interns specifically for this purpose, who looked for suitable demolition objects and any reusable materials that might arise. But the architects, too, are always on the move with open eyes. Usable materials are dismantled and picked up by the architectural office with roots in Basel. The architects spend half of the time evaluating and procuring possible components. "In situ" did not have any problems finding the right material: of the approximately 7.5 million tons of construction waste that is generated in Switzerland every year, only 0.1 percent is directly reused, according to the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) has. «In situ» assumes that ten times more can be reused.
Book publication planned
If you think about the costs at this point: 4.8 million Swiss francs have been budgeted for the project so far. One of the stated goals was to build in such a way that it does not cost more than a completely new building. “It is difficult to make direct comparisons,” says Benjamin Poignon.
In general, “in situ” always relies on the reuse of materials during construction – even if rarely on this large scale. With its uniqueness, K118 has definitely attracted interested parties: A research and teaching project at the ZHAW University of Applied Sciences in Winterthur and a case study in environmental systems science at ETH Zurich accompanied the planning. Among other things, the environmentally relevant (waste, resources, lifespan, etc.) and legal as well as those relating to the construction process are examined. A joint publication is planned in cooperation with the Federal Office for the Environment: The book is intended to comprehensively shed light on the reuse of components in building construction and to make the knowledge and experience gained publicly available. ■
This is what building K118 should look like after construction work is complete.

October 2020
"Stellwerk 2": In tune with the times

The first stage, the “Stellwerk 1” office building, was completed in 2010 right next to the historic station building. In addition, the elongated property between the tracks and the station square remained in an exposed location, next to the Wülflingerstrasse underpass. The new "Stellwerk 2" building will be built on this centrally located open space, on which the SBB staff restaurant was formerly located and which houses an underground signal box that is to be preserved. The area forms the north-eastern end of a high-quality urban space that has undergone significant changes in recent years, emphasizes the team of architects. A new building in this exposed location will be very easy to see from many sides, which underlines its importance as an important building block in Winterthur's urban structure, according to the architects. "Stellwerk 2" is a mixed-use building with seventy apartments, two office floors, retail and catering areas on the ground floor and 500 bicycle parking spaces in the basement. ■

October 2020
Implenia is building a large development near Geneva

A new urban center is to be built around the Lancy-Pont-Rouge train station. Implenia has already constructed three buildings here as a general contractor for Swiss Prime Site , the construction and real estate company from Dietlikon informs in a message . Implenia is now to build another building for the Solothurn real estate company. The order has a volume of around 132 million francs.

Specifically, Implenia has been awarded the contract for the Alto Pont-Rouge development. It is designed as a 15-storey building plus three underground parking levels with a total floor space of 35,000 square meters. The areas are mainly intended for offices, while smaller areas are to be used as grocery stores and restaurants. The core of the building complex is a central atrium with glass facades.

The development will "meet the highest sustainability standards and be certified at least in accordance with SNBS Gold," explains Implenia in the press release. The start of construction work is scheduled for this November, and the work should be completed in June 2023. For Jens Vollmar, Head Division Buildings, the new order "came about on the basis of a long-term and trusting relationship between Swiss Prime Site and Implenia".

October 2020
The Villa Langmatt Museum is to be preserved

The Langmatt Museum in Baden is unique in the Swiss museum landscape. The art nouveau villa of the industrialist couple Sidney and Jenny Brown-Sulzer houses an exquisite art collection by French impressionists. It was put together at the beginning of the 20th century with a lot of personal passion. The unmistakable charm of the villa lies in the presentation of outstanding images from art history in historical living rooms, surrounded by an idyllic park, says Markus Stegmann, director of the Langmatt Museum, describing his “workplace”.
The Langmatt Foundation announced in a statement that the cantonal protected property must be renovated and that the operation must be put on a financially sound basis. While the foundation is restructuring its operating finances and thus ensuring operation and maintenance, the city makes recurring contributions to the repair of the property with the help of the canton and third parties.
Clear distribution of responsibility
With this partnership approach, the important cultural institution could be led into the future. The strategy motto is: "Jewel for everyone." The aim of the strategy is to preserve the Langmatt as a unique institution and a living witness of industrial, social, collection and architectural history. The core of the strategy is a clear distribution of responsibility between the city and the foundation: As the founder and sole heir, the city makes a substantial contribution to the renovation of the property, which is estimated at around 17.2 million francs (+/- 25%). As the operator of the museum, the foundation is restructuring its operating finances on a sustainable basis.
At its meeting on June 3, 2020, the residents' council of the city of Baden decided to implement the “Langmatt Future” strategy in order to secure the future of the museum. In other words: the foundation takes over the lead for the repair and the costs of the planning up to a construction project. In order to carry out the construction project, the city council and the foundation council plan to found a stock corporation in which the city will hold a substantial share. It should raise the additional financial resources to cover the operating costs.
Sale of pictures for the necessary return on investment
For the long-term renovation of the foundation's capital, which was too small from the start, a targeted sale of one to three works is necessary, which, however, does not affect the core of the collection, emphasize the project managers. From the proceeds of around 40 million Swiss francs, the foundation generates the capital income it needs to secure its operations in the long term. “A step that is painful, but without any alternative, that will secure the future of the museum,” emphasizes Lukas Breunig-Hollinger, President of the Langmatt Foundation. "The Langmatt will be preserved as a historical ensemble, as a place of Baden's identity and as a living witness to the history of industry, collections and architecture," says Markus Stegmann, director of the Langmatt Museum. With its regional roots, the Langmatt will strengthen its international presence in the future.
Two-year construction planning phase
The main innovations include the year-round museum opening, an improvement in the entrance area with cash register, shop and cloakroom, a lift for barrier-free access and a filigree pavilion for events. The next stage is a two-year construction planning phase with the aim of specifying the cost accuracy of the repair. This is a key requirement for the required referendum, which is expected in 2023. If the template is approved, the next step is to sell the pictures. Repairs to the museum could begin in 2024, and Langmatt could reopen in 2026. ■

October 2020
An elevated railway for Silbern and the Niderfeld

The innovative project of the interest group (IG) Hochbahn Silbern, founded in May 2018, is campaigning for a transport solution high above the tracks between the Silbern districts that are relevant for Dietikon and Niderfeld, which is still under development. Because the SBB shunting terminal forms a barrier between the two parts of the city. The elevated railway would secure the direct connection between the S-Bahn station in Silbern and a station of the Limmattalbahn in Niderfeld. This would give the Silbernquartier a connection to the Limmattalbahn, and the approximately 2000 future residents and workers of the Niderfeld-Quartier could easily reach the shopping infrastructure and a possible S-Bahn station in Silbern.
Behind IG Hochbahn Silbern are representatives of the Silbern and Niderfeld areas as well as Limmatstadt AG and the city of Dietikon. The IG is chaired by Beny Ruhstaller, Association of Landowners Niderfeld Dietikon (VGND). The elevated railway is to be completed in the next 8 to 15 years. The project was classified as relevant for the Limmat Valley. That is why the Silbern elevated railway was included in the Limmattal Regional Project Show as a project worthy of funding. It is already clear what the automated cable-drawn elevated railway might look like. With its possible futuristic design, the elevated railway would not only be an attraction in the Limmat Valley, but would also offer the desired cross-connection. Cable cars have also proven themselves in other places in Switzerland. For example, the Polybahn in Zurich, the Rigiblick cable car or the Lugano light rail.
The Hochbahn Silbern has meanwhile developed from a vision to a concrete project. The feasibility was checked and classified as feasible – the route and possible stops have already been narrowed down. The route should be between 607 and 637 meters long. With a travel time of around 2 minutes, the elevated train could transport 700 to 750 people per hour. The discussions that have taken place so far with the SBB and the Garaventa cable car company, who regularly take part in the IG Hochbahn Silbern meetings, have so far been very promising. The costs are estimated at around 20 million francs. Operation should be fully automated and not require any on-site personnel.
According to IG Hochseilbahn Silbern, support from the city authorities is now required to advance the project. In addition, the elevated railway must be integrated into the Niderfeld district plan – with a possible land separation for the stations and the tracks on both sides. In the near future, the project is to be further concretized with a potential analysis and the cost planning and technical feasibility checked. This is followed by the submission to the Federal Office of Transport. ■

October 2020
The development on the Rietpark is larger than 17 football fields

On the former industrial site of the Geistlich glue factory in Schlieren, the second stage of the new quarter "amRietpark" is being built under the building contractor of Helvetia Insurance and Geistlich Immobilia AG Soccer fields. Where fabrics were once dyed and glue was produced, a total of 921 apartments and the Tertianum AG retirement center will be available from 2020. The Geistlich area alone covers 80,000 square meters and is directly adjacent to Schlieren train station.
Between 2007 and 2015, 600 apartments, 12,600 square meters of office space and 14,600 square meters of commercial space, 330 square meters of which were for restaurants and bars, were built on the Färbi site. The Geistlich area includes the “Magnolia” project, completed in 2015, with 137 condominiums and the new buildings along Brandstrasse and Engstringerstrasse with a usable area of 55,000 square meters. The public “Rietpark” takes up around half of the new quarter: it is 600 meters long, comprises 42,000 square meters and is the heart of the development.
Part of the project is a double kindergarten with lunchtime care at Engstringerstrasse 5. This is rented in the residential and commercial building with 84 apartments and commercial space on the ground floor realized by Geistlich lmmobilia AG. Zurich office E2A was hired as the architect. The new building consists of a U-shaped part of the building with residential use from the 1st floor and a continuous basement on the ground floor. All apartments face the park. On the roof, the tenants will find 15 roof gardens based on the former allotment gardens on the site.
The buildings on Brandstrasse, which were occupied in 2020, were designed by two different architectural offices. Graber Pulver Architects are responsible for the building owner Geistlich Immobilia AG with four towers shifted towards each other like a chessboard at Brandstrasse 1-7. The towers merge into a unit over a two-storey base and guarantee optimal light irradiation and views from all corners of the building. The diverse housing options include classic apartments, maisonettes and cluster apartments as well as commercial and restaurant space and the retirement center for the anchor tenant Tertianum AG. Within the block, a “Rue Interieure” cut lengthways through the ground floor connects the towers.
Gmür & Gschwentner Architects designed a building with 202 apartments for Helvetia Insurance at Brandstrasse 21. The new building divides the construction site into two structures, each placed around their own courtyards. The center is a hall that residents can use for communal events. A novelty for Schlieren is the pool on the roof with sundeck, which is freely available to the residents. Here, 3.5 to 5.5 room apartments and various commercial spaces were created along Brandstrasse. ■

October 2020
Letzibach D: Three autonomous building parts from three different clients

The new Letzibach D building will be built in Zurich-Altstetten between 2021 and 2025. The city of Zurich acquired the 10,000 square meter area from SBB in 2014. The area has the open track field on the north side and the busy Hohlstrasse on the south side. 250 non-profit apartments are to be built here under the supervision of the property management company, the Retirement Homes Foundation and the Apartments for Large Families Foundation of the City of Zurich. The three builders are each planning a third of the construction volume. This creates three autonomous parts of the building with their own entrances.
The area development is designed for a utilization of 318 percent. The required density can only be achieved using high-rise solutions. Gut & Schoep Architekten GmbH and Neuland Landschaft GmbH from Zurich are responsible for the plans. A 60-meter-high building with 24 floors and a memorable urban silhouette as well as an eight-story, elongated building that opens in a U-shape towards the track field is planned. A small town square will also be created at the intersection of Hohlstrasse / Flurstrasse.
The building protrudes to the west of Hohlstrasse and continues the street space of the adjacent Letzibach C development. In the north it bends again at a right angle and thus forms the end with the high-rise. The low, contiguous eight-story part of the building houses the 53 apartments of the Apartments for Large Families Foundation and the 81 apartments of the City of Zurich properties. The apartments in the flat part of the building offer south-facing kitchens as well as north-facing living rooms – some with inner circular routes or with spacious entrances. Retracted balconies between the eat-in kitchen and living room are intended for the 131 retirement homes. These apartments of the Foundation for the City of Zurich Housing for the Elderly are to be built in the sixty-meter-high tower. The concrete facade of the building should ensure durability and economical maintenance. ■

October 2020
Apartments close to the center on the brewery area

The premises of the H. Müller AG brewery and the Burger heirs are directly adjacent to the Baden train station and are within walking distance of Baden's old town. Beer has been brewed on the site since 1897. Today the areas are densely built with commercial uses. The brewery H. Müller AG intends to build the centrally located company
to develop the area and to make better use of it. The area to be built corresponds to the size of a football field. Five multi-storey buildings with 145 apartments are planned, offering space for around 250 people as well as various commercial spaces and services. Plots A, B, C and E are in the planning phase. The brewery garden and beer production will be retained. Likewise the malt silo, the boiler and brewhouse, which are classified as historical. A beer hall is to be built next to it. The logistics, operation and administration of the brewery are outsourced to Lupfig. Otherwise the area will appear almost completely new.
Apartments close to the center
In addition, the Burger Heirs are planning an increase in the building adjoining the brewery garden to the south. The realization of apartments close to the center as well as the preservation of the brewery garden and the new connection through the future Brauereigasse were essential public interests, for which the city was committed. For the implementation of an overall project that was convincing in terms of urban planning, architecture and marketability, the preliminary work was ultimately transferred to the present design plan. The builders – the H. Müller AG brewery and the Burger heirs – expect that the first planning applications can be submitted in the course of autumn 2020. ■

October 2020
New thermal baths for bathing and redesign of the Verenahof district

The aim is to upgrade the pool area as a whole. The naturally existing thermal spring water should attract attention again and bring sustainable benefits. The wide range includes thermal baths, wellness and gastronomy geared towards health and relaxation. The new building in the Limmatknie offers living space and space for additional uses. The renovated Verenahof square completes the range of uses of the new buildings in the healthcare sector. An underground car park and the landscaping in the Mättelipark, Limmatpromenade and Ochsengarten areas are also part of the project.
Doctors and residential building
A building for medical use is planned right next to the bathroom. The elbow bath and the Roman apse will also be integrated into the new building. In addition to this, there is also the thermal spring in the spa district. The residential building comprises 2½ and 3½ room apartments as well as attic apartments. The apartments are expected to be ready for occupancy in 2021. The project also includes a private clinic with seventy single rooms and various rehabilitation areas.
The Verenahof square
One sub-project is the redesign of the Verenahof district with the old spa hotels Verenahof, Bären and Ochsen. It is under integral monument protection. The hotel area is being converted into a prevention and rehabilitation clinic by the Basel architects Villa Nova Architekten AG. A public restaurant rounds off the offer. The Verenahofviert will be connected underground with the thermal bath building and will share infrastructures like kitchen or parking garage with it. RehaClinic AG will act as the future operator.
Redesign of public space, core area bathrooms
The public space in the core area of the bathrooms is being redesigned. This presents itself in addition to the new thermal baths and residential and medical center as well as the Verenahof area, which has been revitalized with a rehabilitation clinic. The implementation planning, tendering and awarding of the work will take place in 2019. The construction work in the Verenahofviert with the private construction projects in the baths should be implemented by autumn 2021. The planning team consists of Vogt landscape architects, Scheidegger + Partner AG. Client: City of Baden, planning and construction.
Art also finds its place
In the bathrooms, the relocation of art objects is in the foreground. Those responsible for the project emphasize that these should be placed in the context of the historical heritage and the spa culture. They should work in the sense of their purpose and at the same time enrich the public space as design elements ideally and materially and contribute to the marketing of the bathrooms and to the added value on site. An artistic specialist is entrusted with this task and is accompanied by the Planning and Construction and Culture departments in cooperation with the Art Commission of the City of Baden. ■

October 2020
Mammoth project in Niderfeld

The Niderfeld is located in the northeast of the Dietikon municipality and partly borders on Spreitenbach. With around 40 hectares, Niderfeld is Dietikon's last large reserve of building land. And good things take time: The planning of what the area used for agriculture up to 1890 will look like in the future has been going on for around ten years. Around 3000 people will one day live here and another 4000 people will work. The association “Landowner Niderfeld Dietikon” (VGND), founded at the end of 2012, is behind the project. This accompanies the development in the Niderfeld, promotes the interests and concerns of the landowners and represents them to the authorities. The three largest owners are Planzer Transport AG, the city of Dietikon and Josef Wiederkehr AG from Dietikon.
In the course of time, applications have been made twice to convert all or part of the Niderfeld into an industrial zone. Both times the applications were rejected: first by the municipal council and then at the ballot box. In 1995, in the cantonal structure plan, Niderfeld was assigned cantonal importance as a central area. Settlement parts with a high structural density as well as recreation areas are prescribed in a central area. The aim is to create an attractive economic location with good access to public transport. At the beginning of 2002 the city of Dietikon turned to the regional planning of Zurich and the surrounding area (RZU) with the aim of finding a politically viable zoning. This should allow an orderly structural development based on an overall concept. In addition to representatives of the city and municipal council, landowners, business organizations, representatives of the canton of Aargau, ideational organizations and residents of Dietikon also took part in the Niderfeld open planning process. This ensured that all interest groups were represented and could contribute accordingly.
This resulted in two rough concepts: One provided for an access network that was largely adapted to the existing parcelling. The second sketched the creation of a park along the Teischlibach, which divides the Niderfeld into a work area in the west, a park in the middle and a residential / mixed area in the east. In 2010 the zoning draft finally became legally binding: the core elements of the new zones are the mandatory design plan and the requirement for an eight-hectare city park. The urban planning concept developed in 2013 formed the basis for the subsequent design and district plans. The master plan was finally approved by the city and municipal council in 2015 and submitted to the landowners and the public for consultation. The Dietikon City Council initiated the district plan procedure at the end of August 2017. After that, the landowners had to agree on various parameters and the redistribution of the land. The design and neighborhood plan, the revision of the building and zoning regulations plus the Teischlibach hydraulic engineering project were submitted to the canton for review in mid-2020. The answer is still pending.
This is what the new quarter should look like
The large, central park forms the heart of the Niderfeld district. Quiet park islands, play areas, residential gardens and spacious lawns are planned and are intended to attract people from the surrounding area. Around the park there is a mixed area along the route of the Limmattalbahn, a residential area on the northern edge of the park and a work area in the west towards Mutschellenstrasse. For reasons of noise protection, the mixed area towards the Ueberlandstrasse forms a largely closed development. The residential part should consist of smaller building units, the height of which is graded towards the park.
The entrance to the new city quarter is marked by the Torplatz at Dreispitz, where a stop for the Limmattalbahn is planned. The residents of Niderfeld should find restaurants and various shops at Torplatz. To the east is the neighborhood square, which is intended to serve as a play and meeting point for the residents. Another space will be created at the second tram stop at the intersection of the workplace and mixed area. The Limmattalbahn runs along the boulevard on its own route. In addition, a dense network of paths for bicycle and pedestrian traffic is to be created. The depot for the Limmattalbahn is planned to the west of Mutschellenstrasse. The residential and mixed zones of the Niderfeld will be designed as a 30 km / h zone. The road network is designed in such a way that there is no crawl traffic from the workplace area in the west to the mixed and residential area in the east.
So far, the city has received financing loans of over CHF 1 million – the planning effort turned out to be greater than expected and due to the high density of regulations there are still many hurdles to be overcome. The desired elevated railway from Niderfeld to Silbern is also still in progress. Construction is scheduled to start in 2028 at the earliest. ■

October 2020
The new “LimmiCura” care center is under construction

On the site where the high-rise building of the old Limmattal Hospital from 1970 stood until the end of 2019, the new “LimmiCura” care center will be built from 2020 to 2023. In order for the Limmattal Hospital Association to begin implementing the project, the consent of the population was required. This approved the required loan of 65 million francs. The care center, including the day center, three long-term care wards with palliative beds and a rehabilitation floor, is to have 116 rooms: 73 single and 43 double rooms. The new building will have five floors and will be implemented by the architects' office fsp in Spreitenbach. Architecturally, “LimmiCura” is based on the Limmattal Hospital, which was newly opened at the end of 2018. A dementia department with its own garden and a rehabilitation station on the 5th floor with 48 beds are planned. The day center will be located on the ground floor next to the dementia department. The inner courtyards will be accessible. The nursing department is located on floors 2-4. The "LimmiCura" should open in the first quarter of 2023. ■

October 2020
A city quarter including the Limmattalbahn

“Where Zurich has a future” is Schlieren's slogan. This also applies to the new Reitmen district, where 177 rental apartments for different generations and needs will be built in five buildings. All apartments would offer sophisticated floor plans, carefully selected materials and spacious balconies. Each of the five houses has its own character and its own color concept can be read on the homepage on which the project is presented. The urban development stands for the modern Schlieren, emphasize those responsible for the project. The settlement is to become a place with a high quality of life that offers contemporary living and commercial space for a wide audience. In addition, there is 1,500 square meters of commercial space, a spacious park and, from 2022, the stop of the new Limmattalbahn directly in front of the door. ■

October 2020
Regional 2025 – projects for diversity

The Limmattal – a diverse, coherent mosaic
Despite urban thrusts, the development and the initial situation are not the same everywhere. For example, Spreitenbach and Neuenhof are changing from the formative 1970s modernism to more urban locations, but the dynamic cannot be compared to Schlieren, for example, until now. Wettingen is also discussing densification, and the concept of the garden city, which has been so formative up to now, is being questioned.
It looks completely different on the right bank of the Limmat. The communities with their large single-family house areas look in amazement at the other side of the valley and watch the development from a distance. They are still villages and want to stay that way. This heterogeneity of the Limmat Valley, which can be interpreted as a difficulty, is above all its strength. In addition, with the formative landscape there is a kit that holds these pieces of the puzzle together. Above all the Limmat as namesake and identity bearer, as a unifying force of nature that meanders through the valley. But “spaces in between”, such as the Sulperg-Rüsler or Hüttikerberg-Sandbühl landscape corridors, are becoming increasingly important and are developing into a park landscape.
"City" is only of limited use as a guiding term for this diverse fabric and does not do justice to the differences in places and the role of the landscape as a framework for the whole. Experts therefore speak more of “urban landscapes” in order to do justice to this phenomenon. That is why the edge of the block, the square and the boulevard, as tried and tested city elements, are not always the cure-all. In doing so, it is often not considered that this does not correspond to the complex social, economic and spatial structures of the Limmat Valley. The implementation of this idea can be seen, for example, in the Limmatfeld, where the new structures have so far represented an island in the context of the surroundings and have not yet been able to form the desired lively center beyond the railway.
These new city modules are definitely a good contribution to the discussion about the future of the Limmat Valley, but they ignore many of the realities of the existing Limmat Valley and the sensitivities of the population. The starting point in the Limmat Valley is too complex to take just one approach. Industrial wastelands such as the Rietbach area in Schlieren or the Limmatfeld for consistent new urban building blocks are practically no longer available. Everything that is now added in the course of the consolidation must deal with the existing. The further construction of the Shoppi Tivoli in Spreitenbach requires different strategies than the densification of Wettingen or Neuenhof. And the strategies for the further development of the villages to the right of the Limmat require completely different recipes.
Overcoming boundaries – spatially and thematically
The whole thing becomes interesting in the combination of different strategies for the long-term further development of the Limmat Valley. In the longitudinal direction, the Limmattalbahn establishes the linear connection with high-density nodes along the stops. It is also exciting when the cross-connections are considered. So far, hardly trained, they have the potential to form completely new gravity lines: both in built-up space and in the landscape. The axes such as Schlieren-Unterengstringen or Dietikon-Fahrweid-Geroldswil, like the landscape corridors, offer an opportunity to connect the differences spatially and socially and to enable a new interaction across the longitudinal barriers.
This is also of great importance within the towns and cities themselves. Examples of this are various plans and concepts that must be pursued further: Schlieren would like to link the rapidly emerging new districts on both sides of the railway with the existing districts and the village center. In Dietikon there is the idea of a connection between Silbern and Niederfeld. Spreitenbach would like to extend the central axis as far as the Limmat, and Neuenhof is developing transversely to the main axis into “Neuenhof am See”. This requires new connections and bridges over the railway, the Limmat or over roads. These are not only spatial connections, but also bring long-term residents and newcomers closer to one another.
Growth and change therefore not only affect the areas of construction and mobility, but all areas of life of the population: The everyday life lived across borders is already reflected today in work, living and leisure behavior as well as in mobility and consumer behavior. What began with a visit to the Shoppi Tivoli in Spreitenbach in the 1970s will intensify with the construction of the Limmattalbahn and result in further investments. The cantons of Zurich and Aargau have therefore decided, together with 16 cities and municipalities in the Limmat Valley, to actively shape the development across borders using a new format. To this end, they founded an association in 2015, the “Regional Project Show Limmattal”.
To cope with the challenges and also to alleviate the “growing pains” in the Limmattal, the Regionale 2025 is pursuing a thematically broad approach which, in addition to the classic spatial planning issues, also includes the areas of culture and society. ■

October 2020
The “Pfaffechappe” school house will be transformed into a primary school

A look back at the past: The “Pfaffechappe” school complex was built in 1973/74 as one of the largest school buildings in the Baden elementary school. The “Pfaffechappe” school house is to be extensively renovated in the summer of 2021 after the secondary school has moved to the new secondary school center in Burghalde and converted into a purely primary school building.
The architects describe the renovation of the outer shell of the “Pfaffechappe” school complex as follows: “The closure of the two currently covered entrance / break areas and
The relocation of the entrances to the place of the three stair towers clarifies the relationship between the school and its surroundings and creates an inviting, attractive and clear entrance area. In addition, the new entrance situation is integrated into the spatial sequence from the school building above.
area up to the river basin integrated. "
The work will be completed by summer 2023. At the meeting on December 11, 2018, the city of Baden wrote in a press release that the project loan for the renovation and renovation of the “Pfaffechappe” schoolhouse was approved. The residents' council will rule on the construction loan in December 2020, and in March 2021 the people will vote on the "Pfaffechappe" construction loan. ■

October 2020
“Tivoli Garden”: An identity-defining project

A look back: The major project in Spreitenbach is marked by years of delays. For example, VCS Aargau defended the project in 2012 and submitted an objection. He demanded an expansion of the environmental impact assessment, which covers the entire area, including the shopping center.
rums “Shoppi Tivoli”, the Limmatpark and the parking spaces available to the “Shoppi Tivoli” in the environmental arena. After the revised design plan, the VCS filed another complaint, this time because of the parking space management, which did not go far enough for the traffic club. Those involved were finally able to agree on a compromise solution in January 2019 – and nothing stood in the way of the project.
Identifying feature
With the “Tivoli Garten” development, five houses with a total of 445 rental apartments, a double kindergarten, an Obi hardware store and a stop for the Limmattalbahn are now being built in the immediate vicinity of the “Shoppi Tivoli” shopping center. The proposed mix of apartments consists of 1½ to 5½ room apartments. The generous private outdoor spaces are intended to meet the needs of the various tenant groups, i.e. families, singles and pensioners, for example.
Base construction with two towers
The superstructure consists of a base building with the Obi hardware store and the Limmattalbahn stop, from which two high-rise buildings and three up to seven-storey long buildings extend. The project managers emphasize that the two high-rise buildings act as an identity-defining feature of the development. They also interact with the two existing high-rise apartment buildings in the “Shoppi Tivoli” area from the 1960s. The spacious outdoor areas are located in the private courtyard of the "Tivoli Garden". Eiffage Suisse, Zurich office, was entrusted with the implementation of the major project. Solid construction strives for the Minergie / greenproperty standard.
Direct access to the "Shoppi Tivoli"
A public pedestrian level with direct access to the “Shoppi Tivoli” is planned on the base building. The passerelle concept of the municipality of Spreitenbach allows further connections to the surrounding parcels at this level, and at street level a new transfer hub for public transport with the Limmattalbahn and various bus routes is designed.
The major project was developed jointly by the Migros Aare cooperative and Credit Suisse Asset Management. The owner is MEG Tivoli Garten, which consists of two real estate funds from Credit Suisse Asset Management. ■

October 2020
Urdorf-Nord: From the workplace to the town in the village

There is a master plan for Urdorf-Nord, which aims to lead the economically and urban-planning important economic area into a modern and attractive future. The district is currently struggling with structural difficulties that have led to considerable vacancies and poor quality urban space. Although the economic area is one of the most important job areas in the Limmattal, the attractiveness of the location still has potential. Urdorf-Nord scores with its location: the economic area is ideally accessible thanks to the motorway connection, the Limmattalbahn, which is currently under construction, and the Glanzenberg S-Bahn station.
The thrust is clear: to generate a prudent structure of uses that are mutually beneficial. At the same time, Urdorf-Nord benefits from structural densification and the creation of high-quality public spaces. In addition, the development is taken into account with an optimized traffic concept – including an expansion of public and non-motorized traffic. The new economic area Urdorf-Nord – which, topographically and in terms of traffic, forms the entrance to Urdorf from the Limmat Valley – is intended to attract innovative and future-oriented companies. The proximity to the cantonal school and the Limmattalspital as well as the Schlierem biotech cluster should be particularly attractive for companies in the education and health sectors.
The coordinated master plan should convey a common development idea to the landowners. Due to the necessary adjustments in the building and zoning regulations (BZO), this will later become legally binding. The possibilities provided by the master plan have already been anchored in the cantonal structure plan. The structural densification is intended to create a district – the town within the village – with a novel, attractive character and relieve other areas of the pressure from settlement.
The plan provides for a representative zone adjacent to the canton school, in which urban living is now possible in addition to work. A slow traffic axis enhances the connection to the center of Urdorf in the south. The street in the Luberzen, which forms the pulsating artery of the new quarter, is to become a promenade. A space is planned at the Limmattalbahn stop in the Luberzen to connect the northern economic area with the surrounding quarters. The newly created north-south connection connects to the central square, which, like a hinge, guides the axis on to the Glanzenberg S-Bahn station. Bike stations will also be placed at the Limmattalbahn stops.
As part of a BZO revision, this strategy is expected to be presented to voters in 2023. By then, specific developments are already planned, on the one hand the communicative positioning of Urdorf-Nord as “the town in the village”, on the other hand forms of temporary use to upgrade public space and, as a result, above all an improvement in the quality of stay and catering. ■

October 2020
JED: Innovative office and service space with industrial charm

Schlieren's western part has had a new think and worktank since mid-2020: JED (Join. Explore. Dare.). Since 2018, a new center for knowledge transfer, innovation and entrepreneurship has been built on the site of the former NZZ printing company. Not far from Schlieren train station, offices, industry and commerce are brought together. Spread over three buildings and a total of around 38,000 square meters of land, there are various seminar, conference and meeting areas as well as an event hall with space for up to 600 people. A gastronomic offer from the “Eves Kitchen” restaurant and several bars complete the offer.
The center of JED is formed by the former printing halls (building complex J) with a ceiling height of up to 18 meters. Both service and event areas are located here. Further office and restaurant areas are located in the front building (Building E), which is connected to the halls. The catering business is currently being implemented on the ground floor, while the upper three floors are intended for office space.
But building D in particular is something to talk about: a new building that is expected to be ready for occupancy at the end of 2022. After completion, this solid construction will provide space for office and service areas and aims to be a pioneer in terms of resource-saving architecture. The “2226” building concept was developed by Professor Dietmar Eberle and his architectural office Baumschlager Eberle. The buildings are designed without technical air conditioning such as heating, cooling or ventilation. Natural drafts are used for cooling. It is heated by the heat emitted by the lighting and electronic devices as well as the people who work in them.
Solid walls reduce heat exchange. The surfaces and materials also compensate for temperature fluctuations, so that a comfortable temperature of 22 to 26 degrees Celsius can be guaranteed throughout the year. The proportion of windows is deliberately kept small at 16 percent – and the panes are set back in the building in such a way that only seldom rays of sunlight reach the glass. Sensors that measure temperature, humidity and CO2 content control ventilation blades as required. The materials used have a lifespan of 200 years. In addition, the reduced building technology ensures both a high level of space and energy efficiency. As a result, only half of the maintenance and operating costs of conventional real estate will be incurred.
Meeting and recreation zones will be created in all three buildings. The number of above-ground parking spaces was deliberately kept small in order not to impair the high quality of the outdoor space visually or in terms of area. Photovoltaic systems can be found on all roofs.
After Zühlke Engineering AG moved in in April 2020, Halter AG will relocate its headquarters to JED at the end of the year. Around 250 workplaces will be set up on an area of over 5,000 square meters. ■

October 2020
Star architects are building on Lindenplatz

The list of her previous buildings includes the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg and the Tate Modern in London. And now the Basel duo Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron is building on Lindenplatz in Zurich-Altstetten. Between 2022 and 2024, the Badener-
Strasse and Segnesstrasse the existing houses will be demolished and replaced by new residential and commercial buildings. Altstetten has many old and relatively low buildings. The potential for compression is great here. Especially in view of the fact that the city of Zurich is forecast to grow from 434,000 today to 516,000 in 2040. With good transport links and the need to renovate old buildings, Altstetten offers optimal conditions for projects like this one.
At Badenerstrasse 682-690 and Segnesstrasse 8-12, a total of six new buildings are to be built over the next four years. The houses should be perceived as a collection of big and small, high and low. On celebrity
A 30 meter high building on the corner of Badenerstrasse Segnesstrasse will stand out; it should enter into a dialogue with Lindenplatz and, in terms of urban planning, fit into the chain of high-rise buildings along Badenerstrasse. The owner writes in the building specification: "The project builds on the location-specific quality of Zurich townhouses and tries to achieve an urbanity appropriate to the location by means of a dense and at the same time open, small-scale ensemble of houses."
A total of 72 apartments are planned, 38 of which are rental apartments in the front area and 34 condominiums around the green inner courtyard. Commercial space on the ground floor and a parking garage with 31 parking spaces complement the new buildings. The flat roofs are equipped with photovoltaic systems. The owner is Senn Resources AG from St. Gallen. The building application was submitted at the end of April 2020. ■

October 2020
Urdorfer S+U Bau baut Spitalskapelle wieder auf

Bei Errichtung des Neubaus des Spitals Limmattal in Schlieren musste die alte Spitalskapelle weichen. Der Schlieremer Stadtrat beschloss deshalb vor sechs Jahren laut einem Artikel in der „Limmattaler Zeitung“, die Kapelle aus dem Inventar der kulturhistorischen Objekte zu streichen. Sie stand ab da nicht mehr unter Schutz. Allerdings hat der Stadtrat auch einen Vertrag mit dem Spital abgeschlossen, der dieses zu einer möglichst detailgetreuen Rekonstruktion der Kapelle verpflichtet. Es wurde sogar vereinbart, dass es auch wieder einen Teich an der Spitalskapelle geben müsse,

All das setzt jetzt Stefan Schmid mit seinem Team der S+U Bau AG in Urdorf um. Den Bauauftrag hat sein Unternehmen von Losinger Marazzi erhalten. Das Berner Bauunternehmen hat den Neubau des Spitals Limmattal verwirklicht. Der Auftrag lautet auf originalgetreuen Wiederaufbau der Kapelle aus den 60er Jahren und alle damit verbundenen Baumeisterarbeiten. Die Bauarbeiten sollen rasch beginnen, den ersten Baukran hat Schmid schon aufstellen lassen. Bis zum Frühjahr 2021 hofft man, fertig zu sein und die Kapelle wieder allen Einkehr und Ruhe suchenden Patienten und Besuchern öffnen zu können. Bisher hatte ihnen dazu nur ein dafür freigehaltener Raum im Spital dienen können.

Die alt-neue Kapelle soll auch wieder unter Schutz stehen. Sie werde nach der Rekonstruktion wieder ins Inventar der kulturhistorischen Objekte aufgenommen, hatte der Schlieremer Stadtingenieur Hans-Ueli Hohl beim Beschluss über den Abriss versichert.

October 2020
Groundbreaking ceremony for the new Stierenmatt school pavilion

The new construction of the Stierenmatt pavilion on the Hunziker area in the Limmatfeld area is scheduled to begin on October 1st. A temporary school building for the Stierenmatt school unit will be created. According to the city of Dietikon , this should offer space for nine primary classes. The creation of classrooms in the Limmatfeld district has been planned for some time. "Due to outstanding cantonal plans, the construction of the planned school building on the Stierenmatt area belonging to the city is delayed and will probably be completed in 2028 at the earliest," said a message from the city of Dietikon on the occasion of the vote on the loan financing of the project to justify a temporary solution .

In the vote in June, according to the city, 2,056 voters were in favor and 735 were against the loan. This approved the submission for a loan of CHF 15.2 million.

Construction work for the temporary school is expected to be completed in August 2021. The entire population is invited to the groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, October 1st at 5.30 p.m. Registration is not necessary. Due to the current pandemic, however, there are no tables, benches and no toilet facilities available. Every visitor is legally obliged to register on an attendance list for contact tracing, the invitation draws attention to.

October 2020
Elderly apartments in Bergdietikon are to be modernized

The Foundation for Age-Appropriate Living in Bergdietikon (AGW) built the facility in Schlittental 25 years ago according to the then modern standards of equipment and technology. The Bergdietikon municipality made the area available at the time. Today demands and needs have evolved. That is why the Board of Trustees wants to analyze the situation by examining not only the mix of apartments and the standard of construction, but also the question of pricing and, last but not least, the individual types of housing that are particularly suitable for handicapped people, as stated in a communication . A proposal for the renovation of the building to meet contemporary needs should be available by the end of the year.

The rental apartments, which, unlike in old people's homes, are offered without services, are "a little old" and no longer meet today's standards. Some of the total of 18 apartments could therefore no longer be rented out despite the overall clear demand.

In order to determine the real needs, residents and interested parties should be asked about their ideas. But one thing is certain: services such as those offered in old people's homes or larger institutions are not economically viable.

The residential building for age-appropriate living is located directly in the center of Bergdietikon. The post office, the center, the Volg store, the cemetery and the bus stop can be reached in a few minutes, the foundation describes the property. And adds: With a distant view of the Limmat Valley and a view of the hilly landscape on the mountain side.

September 2020
Helvetia invests in the RhyTech quarter

The RhyTech quarter, which consists of two high-rise buildings, an apartment building and the converted historic Hall 22 of the former Alusuisse area, is intended to combine public and private uses, said Halter AG in a press release . The Zurich-based construction company will implement the RhyTech quarter as a general contractor. Construction work is scheduled to begin in November this year. Completion and occupancy of the quarter are targeted for the first quarter of 2024.

The general contractor Helvetia Versicherungen was able to win over an investor for the smaller of the two high-rise buildings. The insurance company will realize the planned apartments as rental apartments and also market the restaurant on the 17th floor, explains Halter. "The project is perfectly tailored to the market environment and offers a sustainable investment in an up-and-coming community in the Schaffhausen region", Daniel Wehrli, the responsible project manager at Helvetia, is quoted in the press release. According to her, a tenant has already been found for the restaurant in the high-rise.

The second high-rise and the apartment building are designed as condominiums. Of the 96 condominiums in the high-rise building, 39 and around a quarter of the apartments in the multi-family house are already taken, writes Halter. In view of the reference date, which is around three years away, this is "a very good reservation status", says Halter CEO Markus Mettler. In addition, Halter has already been able to win Migros as anchor tenant for Hall 22.

September 2020
Lake Zurich education center inaugurates new building

Patrick Heeb, Rector of the Education Center Lake Zurich ( BZZ ), inaugurated a new building at the BZZ in Horgen on Tuesday, together with District President and Education Director Silvia Steiner (ZH / CVP) as well as Government Council and Construction Director Martin Neukom (ZH / GPS). BZZ learners have already moved into the new school building.

The new building, which has now been inaugurated, is intended to cover the school's increasing space requirements, as stated in a media release . With it, the school has new classrooms as well as a new triple gymnasium. The sports hall is made available to the sports department of the municipality of Horgen outside of school hours.

After the completion of the new building, the renovation of the existing building will begin. After the construction work is completed, the BZZ will be able to benefit from its location on Lake Zurich. It will use the lake water to generate cold and heat.

September 2020
Intershop starts building an assembly hall for Stadler

Intershop creates a new assembly hall for Stadler Winterthur . According to a press release , the building permit is now available. The investment volume amounts to around 16 million francs. The start of construction is planned for the current week, the completion of construction for the end of 2021. As Stadler announced after the agreement with Intershop Holding was concluded, the Zugbauer will lease the plant from the Intershop subsidiary SGI City Immobilien AG on a long-term basis. The lease has a minimum term of 15 years, according to Intershop.

With the new building, Stadler Winterthur is expanding its competence center for bogies. On around 13,250 square meters of land, additional storage and assembly areas are being built for the construction of bogies for standard and broad gauge trains as well as for trams. The commissioning of the new hall is planned for 2022. In February, Stadler announced its intention to create up to 50 new jobs with the expansion of the production facility at the Winterthur location.

August 2020
A lifestyle brand is stirring up the hotel industry in Zurich
- In winter, the four-star AMERON Boutique Hotel with over 61 rooms and suites opens its doors in the city on the Limmat.
The German hotel company Althoff Hotels will take over the traditional hotel “Bellerive au Lac” in Zurich towards the end of the year. The historic building at Utoquai 47 has been completely rebuilt since January of this year and then opened as the third AMERON hotel in Switzerland – two hotels are located in Davos and Lucerne – and the first AMERON boutique hotel in Switzerland. "The size and the spatial plan are perfect for the conversion into an AMERON boutique hotel", Thomas H. Althoff, founder and owner of Althoff Hotels, is quoted in various media.
High quality hotel design
As an interior concept, Monoplan – an architecture firm based in Zurich specializing in the hotel industry – has developed a modern interpretation of the existing hotel design, which can be read on their website. This mainly includes interior design, implementation planning and creative management. “A World of Many Worlds” – that is the hotel group's credo. All hotels are characterized by a cosmopolitan interior design, which at the same time has an individual character in each house. The house will have 61 rooms and suites, an event restaurant and various conference rooms. If everything goes according to plan, the four-star hotel is due to open this winter. ■
August 2020
From commercial building to design hotel

On Beatenplatz, not far from Zurich's main train station, a budget design hotel of the Munich hotel group Ruby with 208 rooms and a restaurant operated by Candrian Catering is being built in the listed former “Haus Du Pont” commercial building. For more than 100 years, the building housed the ABC cinema from 1913. Historically, the “Haus Du Pont” by Zurich architects Jakob Haller and Karl Schindler has been referred to as a palace-like building. Indeed: the comparison is appropriate.
Simple and representative appearance
Now a look into the future: In the course of the conversion, the largely listed building will be completely renovated. This includes its supporting structure, stairwells, facade and roof structures. In order to achieve an elegant, simple and at the same time representative appearance, classic means are used, emphasize the project managers. These include, for example, a surrounding wall frieze. That means a linear, horizontal style element. This narrow strip, delimits, divides and decorates parts of the building. There are also structured wall surfaces, a terrazzo floor and seating niches in the lobby. The philosophy of the hotel group is "Lean Luxury – luxury in a small area".
The Zurich architects Monoplan are responsible for the architecture, the interior design, the overall planning and the construction management. The owner and builder of the historic building is PSP Swiss Property, which is investing 45 million francs in the total renovation. If everything goes according to plan, the two-year construction work will be completed by the end of 2021. ■

August 2020
Nancy's Art Nouveau landmark
- View into the dining room, in the background the fireplace by Alexandre Bigot and stained glass by Jacques
  Gruber. Image: S. Levaillant.
- Jika and Louis Majorelle sitting on the terrace of the villa, photo from the
  Family album. Image: Musée de l'Ecole de Nancy.
- The Villa Majorelle in
  Nancy after the renovation. Image: P. Caron.
- View from the ground floor
  on the stairwell.
  Image: S. Levaillant.
Under leadership, the company flourished and opened branches in Paris, London and Berlin, among others.
The Frenchman, born in 1859, was only 39 years old and was able to commission the construction of a magnificent villa. He relied on the then 26-year-old architect Henri Sauvage (1873–1932). The two gentlemen met in the house of their mutual friend – the sculptor Alexandra Charpentier. Sauvage had never worked on a project like this before. The only experience Sauvage could boast was working for a few months with the Brussels architect Paul Saintenoy. Majorelle liked the youthfulness and boldness of the architect as well as his good network in the art world. He preferred Sauvage to the experienced Nancy-based architect Lucien Weissenburger. Weissenburger was allowed to carry out the project on site.
The Majorelle family's photo album provided important information
In the years 1901–1902 the villa was built according to Sauvage's plans. It was the first completely Art Nouveau house in Nancy and is considered a prime example. Sauvage did not build the villa single-handedly: he called on other renowned artists. For example his Paris friends, the ceramic artist Alexandre Bigot and the painter Francis Jourdain. Bigot carried out the ceramics, Jourdain designed the decorative paintings in the dining room. The furniture comes from Majorelle's own production. The landlord also took care of the ironwork and the railings. The stained glass windows in the main rooms (staircase, dining room, living room and bedroom) were designed by the master glazier Jacques Gruber. The majority of these artists belonged to the Ecole de Nancy, which Emile Gallé co-founded in 1901.
For four years, the Villa Majorelle was repaired internally and externally through extensive restoration work. The building, completely in Art Nouveau style, was commissioned in 1898 by Louis Majorelle, himself a cabinet maker, designer and blacksmith. Majorelle actually wanted to be a painter and studied at a young age at the School of Fine Arts in Paris. After the death of his father, he had to return to his hometown Nancy (F) early to take over the family business. He had modern furniture made and was inspired by nature and Emile Gallé. Gallé specialized in the material glass and did pioneering work in this area. He is one of the founders of Art Nouveau. Louis Majorelle's floral elements run from the facade to the interior of the house: they can be found in ornaments, carvings, mosaics and enamel work. Architect Sauvage arranged the windows and exterior doors to match the logic of the interior layout, breaking with the tradition of the horizontally symmetrical building. Flowing forms and decorative motifs run through the entire architecture. Sauvage played with the opposites: the bare Euville stone contrasts with the polychromy of bricks, stoneware, wood and ironwork. The constant presence of wood runs like a red thread through the interior design and creates a connection with the exterior of the villa.
The Villa Majorelle is considered a unique experimental work. Henri Sauvage later said: “I worked there for two years and I am deeply grateful to my first client for the incredible freedom he has given me. Despite my young age, he never imposed any budget restrictions on me or his personal ideas. " After completion, Louis Majorelle lived there with his wife Jane Kratz and their son Jacques. The building is also known under the name «Villa Jika» – after the initials of Jane Kratz.
Louis Majorelle died in 1926, the villa was inherited by his son, who sold the house to the state. He initially had offices built there. The gradual rediscovery of Art Nouveau led to the villa being classified as a historic monument in 1975 and finally a listed building in 1996. The city of Nancy has owned the villa since 2003. In the last few years the villa has been repeatedly renovated. In the most recent and most extensive renovation, the villa was returned to its 1926 state. The renovation work was carried out by the Atelier Grégoire André. Articles and publications from the time the villa was built provided important information about the original appearance of the house. The Majorelle family's photo album also served as a valuable source of information.
Some changes made afterwards were removed this time: For example, a bay window on the north facade was removed and the chimney hoods that were removed a few years ago for safety reasons were reinstalled on the roof. The facade was cleaned and damaged masonry replaced. The work on the outer facade and the roof only took two years.
Original Gruber window destroyed in bombing
But the interior of the building was also completely restored in close collaboration with the Musée de l'Ecole de Nancy and a committee made up of Art Nouveau specialists and art historians. In order to create adequate reception areas for visitors, the cash register, cloakroom and souvenir shop are located in the kitchen and pantry area. A new elevator was installed, otherwise the wooden and mosaic floors as well as the glass work were completely redesigned.
The living room has an elaborate stucco decor with a pine cone motif, which can also be found on the furniture and the fireplace. The same motif was also used on Jacques Gruber's stained glass window. However, the Gruber window was destroyed in the bombing of Nancy in 1916 and replaced by another oriental-style window that can still be seen today.
Almost 100 pieces of furniture, paintings and art objects then found their way from the Musée de l'Ecole to the villa. Most of the furniture is original. Works were selected that were designed by Louis Majorelle and / or by companies with whom he had worked (Manufacture Daum, Manufacture Keller et Guérin, the ceramic workshops de Rambervillers and Frères Mougin). The choice depended mainly on the similarity to the objects visible in the old photos. In the same way, the museum has also selected from its collection paintings made by Louis Majorelle or his son Jacques.
Between 2021 and 2022, minor renovations will be carried out inside the villa, but these will not require the house to be closed. The works include recreating the bathrooms, creating teaching and educational areas on the first floor, and renovating Louis Majorelle's studio on the second floor. The costs so far amount to 2.5 million euros. ■
August 2020