The centrepiece of the campus is a kilometre-long, continuous park that physically and socially connects all the buildings. The striking buildings Main Campus HQ, HORTUS, ALL, HOPE, SCALE as well as Swiss TPH, ALBA Haus and many more are grouped around the green ribbon and create a space for dialogue, recreation and networking with more than five football pitches of park space. With over 5,000 workplaces on completion and more than 115,000 m² of usable space, the site will set new standards for infrastructure and collaboration in Switzerland and Europe.
Architecture and sustainability as drivers
The architecture by Herzog & de Meuron and Felippi Wyssen visibly conveys the idea of innovation to the outside world. The Main Campus HQ is practically fully let and, as a multifunctional research and communication centre, is a magnet for companies such as JNJ, SKAN, Basilea, the University of Basel and other players. Flexible multi-storey car parks and mobility services support the sustainable use of the site. SENN is acting as investor, developer and total contractor – from planning and realisation through to long-term marketing. The project is being developed in close collaboration with Basel Area Business & Innovation, the Canton of Basel-Landschaft and other partners from the worlds of science and business.
HORTUS, an office building that amortises its production energy in 30 years, is outstanding. It was built from wood, clay and waste paper, generates energy via photovoltaics and fulfils the highest ESG criteria. Every component is part of the circular economy and prepared for future utilisation cycles. The inner courtyard garden by Piet Oudolf contributes to biodiversity and the indoor climate. HOPE and SCALE will offer further flexible spaces suitable for the public and production from 2028. Neighbours Swiss TPH and ALBA Haus strengthen the health science focus of the site, while the Holiday Inn Express complements the international business and network offering.
Cluster, community and innovation
More than 100 companies – from global players and spin-offs to young scale-ups – characterise the area and use programmes such as BaseLaunch and DayOne for start-ups, networking and knowledge transfer. Cluster events, community platforms and modern co-working infrastructures promote dialogue and the creation of joint projects. Educational facilities, childcare, catering, sports and conference facilities create a fully-fledged urban working ecosystem.
The Botnar Institute of Immune Engineering as a beacon
The Botnar Institute of Immune Engineering (BIIE), which will move into the ALL, a new, sustainable building on the campus in 2027, will provide a special boost. The decision in favour of this location underlines Basel’s importance as a research location. The institute, funded by the Fondation Botnar with around 1 billion dollars, brings together up to 300 top researchers from all over the world to develop innovative immune-based diagnostics and therapies. The aim is to close gaps in health technologies and improve quality of life worldwide. The BIIE community will have a significant impact on the cluster and the Basel region and will strengthen global networks with partners such as Oxford and ETH Zurich.
Impact and perspective
The Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area Main Campus brings together knowledge, infrastructure and community in an internationally visible innovation centre. By integrating sustainability, empathy and excellence, a global hub for cutting-edge research, vibrant entrepreneurship and future-oriented urban development is being created in Allschwil. The model shows how site development, architecture and science clusters can pave the way for economic and social transformation today and tomorrow.