immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Tag: Architekturbüro

  • Architecture firm expands international presence

    Architecture firm expands international presence

    Montalba Architects, the international architecture firm with existing offices in Lausanne, Switzerland, and Los Angeles, California, has opened an office in New York’s Meatpacking District in Manhattan. With this office, the architects are strengthening their presence on the American East Coast and their commitment to location-based, well thought-out architectural markets in various global markets, as detailed in a press release.

    The location allows architecture to be perceived through different perspectives, be it rural or metropolitan, explains David Montalba, founder of Montalba Architects. Building on the foundations of the Lausanne and Californian offices, the architecture firm can continue to promote cultural exchange and design dialogue between Europe and the United States. The opening ceremony in New York was attended by a close circle of friends, employees and design and architecture professionals. “We are excited to build a growing circle of partners in New York and internationally as we embark on the next 20 years as a firm,” said David Montalba.

    Montalba Architects, founded in 2004, combines Californian modernism with Swiss precision in its projects, according to the company. The architects have won multiple awards for their designs of residential, retail, hospitality, commercial and cultural spaces in North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Caribbean.

  • Grisons architect impresses in Los Angeles

    Grisons architect impresses in Los Angeles

    According to a report by LA Weekly, Chur-based architect Roger Kurath is one of the ten most innovative entrepreneurs in Los Angeles who are pushing boundaries in their respective industries. With innovative and sustainable design methods, Kurath is influencing the architecture of the West Coast metropolis, the article says.

    The work of the architecture firm Design21, founded in 2000, is represented in Switzerland as well as in the United States and Shanghai. Thoughtful design combined with cutting-edge technology have led to the firm’s buildings winning many awards. For example, Design21 received the Award of Merits at the prestigious PCBC Gold Nugget Awards for an 8000 square foot (about 750 square metre) custom house.

    As the article points out, Roger Kurath demonstrates not only exceptional talent but also a love of craftsmanship, with which he aims to create “sustainable dream homes for his discerning clients”. The aim is to create architectural masterpieces that also carry the climate of his homeland to various corners of the world.

  • Architheke builds new parish hall

    Architheke builds new parish hall

    The Reformed Church Wettingen-Neuenhof wants to build a smaller community center in Wettingen. The reason for this is declining membership, which is forcing the church to make savings. According to the municipality on Facebook, the winner of the architectural competition for the project is the Architeke office from Brugg. The Facebook message refers to a report by the "Badener Tagblatt" with the details of the project and the reasons for the decision.

    The conclusion of the project competition is considered an important milestone in the church on the way to implementing the real estate strategy 2030. This states that the church congregation is concentrating on one location. In doing so, they dispensed with the two existing parish houses in Wettingen (built in 1969) and Neuenhof (built in 1956) and built a smaller one instead. The repair of the existing church community buildings would be disproportionately expensive and the available space would be oversized.

    The jury report quoted the following about the winning project by Architheke: "Overall, the project impresses with its independent, clear concept with the spacious and versatile outdoor spaces and an appropriateness and lightness." In addition, it can also be implemented economically and sustainably. The new parish hall should form a new, smaller ensemble with the existing church and rectory.

    From now on, preparations are underway to be able to submit a loan application for the project planning to the parish assembly.

  • Studio DIA allowed to renovate the Swiss embassy in London

    Studio DIA allowed to renovate the Swiss embassy in London

    The Bernese architectural office Studio DIA has the right to renovate and restructure the Swiss embassy in central London. With its Wellington project, the company won the one-stage project competition in the open procedure of the Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics in Bern, according to a press release .

    Accordingly, one of the most important requirements was "to meet the demands of the different users with their different areas of responsibility". In addition to the embassy, the ambassador's apartment and other apartments are located in the partly listed building complex in the district of Marylebone. Switzerland Tourism and other organizations also use the house. The embassy has been in operation for more than 50 years.

    According to the information, Wellington convinced with a clear separation of the various areas of use according to their functions. Above all, the outer facades are to be preserved, which means that the effort for the redesign is kept within limits and the necessary degree of sustainability is given.

    All entries to the competition can be seen from August 19 to 30, 2022 in an exhibition at Fellerstrasse 15a in Bern from Monday to Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Bümpliz.

  • Garden city – city and lots of nature

    Garden city – city and lots of nature

    It all started with a concept competition: Think Architecture AG and Koch Kommunikation AG won the race from three participating architecture firms: “It was a successful attempt to integrate marketing into the project from the very beginning and not later in the process,” remembers Corinne Ruoss , Team Leader Development at Mobimo. The outside space of the condominiums was given a very high weight. The floor plans are modern, functional and flexible. The apartments attract with a generous outside space of at least 14 square meters and a fireplace. The living space climate in the building (Eco) as well as the energy balance (Minergie) play a central role: “The building is planned in accordance with the Minergie Eco standard. A spacious staircase is naturally illuminated with daylight. And the vertically structured wooden facade with wooden slats is a particular eye-catcher. The balconies are integrated into the facade, so that when viewed from the outside, there is a unity, ”adds Ruoss.

    In-house electricity and e-mobility
    A photovoltaic system on the roof generates in-house electricity, and the parking spaces in the underground car park are intended for e-mobility. Based on the “garden city”, the use of natural materials is planned. Native plants are provided for good biodiversity, there is a butterfly meadow on the balcony roofs (intensive greening), and only a few sealed areas are planned. There is a flowing transition to the surroundings with soft shapes, trees and bushes. Seen in this way, the estate fits perfectly with Mobimo’s selection of project locations, with an urban or suburban location and good access to public transport: “In the implementation, convincing architecture and a high standard of construction are important to us, and we also pay close attention to sustainability … and yes: A good price-performance ratio is ultimately decisive for the response on the market. “

  • Timber construction project for the Rockwell area

    Timber construction project for the Rockwell area

    The Aarau Aeschbachquartier with 167 rental apartments, 92 condominiums, the Aeschbachhalle and the Oehlerpark as well as 4600 square meters of commercial space is being expanded. A large part of the Rockwell area, which belongs to the western part of Torfeld Süd, will be linked to the existing quarter. This is made possible because Rockwell Automation GmbH is largely giving up operations there. Only research and development will remain at the site.

    The owner of the area, Mobimo Management AG, invited five architecture firms to participate in a study. The specifications were defined as follows: The project is to be carried out in wood and meet the SNBS Gold standard. The client also wanted a clear contrast to the existing and planned properties in Torfeld Süd.
    Baumberger & Stegmeier Architects from Zurich emerged victorious from the process. In collaboration with Hoffmann Müller Landschaftsarchitekten and Pirmin Jung Holzbauingenieur, your project provides for an extension of the historic Hall 5. This is supplemented by a courtyard-like new building in the desired timber construction and a spacious square. This creates 110 barrier-free rental apartments of various sizes. In addition, alternative forms of living such as cluster apartments and five commercial units are planned. The timber construction is also consistently implemented inside the property. Several green areas and trees are distributed over the site and take up the vision of the Aeschbach district – that of an «Urban Village».

    The first groundbreaking should take place in mid-2023. Completion is scheduled for mid-2025.

  • A lifestyle brand is stirring up the hotel industry in Zurich

    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. ■