Milestones.
Company founders Andreas Zachmann, Helmuth Pauli and Hans-Peter Frei, after whom ZPF is named, had the idea of utilising synergies: These three structural engineers’ close connections with the architectural office Herzog & de Meuron were given a basis in the form of ZPF Ingenieure AG. The result: a series of renowned and extraordinary construction projects.
Founded in 2001, ZPF is now one of Switzerland’s most famous structural engineering companies. We are also involved in renowned international projects, for which we provide consulting services and concepts.
2025
The HORTUS is officially inaugurated in June. The building sets a new standard for sustainability: it pays back the grey building energy and is already energy-positive after around 30 years – thanks to a mix of natural materials.
2025
At the end of May, it will be that time again: the ZPF office trip takes us to Milan for three days.
2024
In November, after 12 years of planning and construction, the Zurich Children's Hospital opens its doors. The building, designed by Herzog & de Meuron, receives several architecture awards in 2025, including the "Swiss Arc Award" and the "Dezeen Award" for "Architecture Project of the Year".
2024
Generation change: Tobias Huber, Manuel Wehrle and Christian Rudin (from left to right) take over the management of ZPF Structure AG, Basel, on 1 April.
2023
ZPF establishes its second spin-off. Rematter produces wood-clay ceiling systems that were developed for HORTUS in collaboration with Herzog & de Meuron and SENN. The start-up has been independent since 2024.
2023
After five years, the ZPF team in May is finally on the road again – this time in Rotterdam and finishing off on the North Sea.
2023
The spin-off EcoTool goes online in March. The app was co-developed by ZPF Ingenieure and will be further developed from 2024 onwards by an independent team with technical support from ZPF.
2022
In December, ETH Zurich announces that it has selected Dr Jacqueline Pauli as Professor of Structural Design at the Department of Architecture. She will succeed Prof. Joseph Schwartz in 2023.
2020
Fit for the future: The founding of ZPF Consulting AG in Zurich and ZPF Structure AG in Basel not only enables operational autonomy at these locations, but also provides ZPF Ingenieure with more opportunities with regard to customer acquisition and competitions.
2020
Material matters - so since summer 2020, we have been a service partner of Madaster, the global online platform for circular use of products and materials in the built environment.
2020
The Auen school complex opens in May. The building is awarded the Swiss steel construction prize "Prix Acier" in 2021 – our second such award!
2019
Tobias Huber becomes a partner at ZPF Ingenieure in the summer.
2018
In April the whole team travel to Porto - sometimes you need a break!
2017
Andreas Zachmann, the only one of ZPF's three founders still active, retires in January and goes travelling.
2016
The first ZPF office trip – and thus the start of a tradition – will take place in Barcelona in the spring.
2016
The extended and converted Kunstmuseum Basel opens its doors. In 2018, the building received the "Auszeichnung Guter Bauten Kanton Basel-Landschaft Kanton Basel-Stadt" and – for its seamless brickwork façade – the "Wienberger Brick Award".
2015
The Kappel primary school building, completed in autumn, has not only been recognised by the canton of Solothurn, but will also receive the "best architects award" in 2019.
2015
Completion of the Novartis high-rise “Asklepios”. The building receives the "Auszeichnung Guter Bauten Kanton Basel-Landschaft Kanton Basel-Stadt 2018".
2015
Heike Egli and Jacqueline Pauli are appointed to the company management. Christian Rudin, Luis Looser and Manuel Wehrle become partners at ZPF.
2014
ZPF Ingenieure opens its office in Zurich. In the same year, Jacqueline Pauli becomes a partner and Helmuth Pauli retires.
2014
In autumn, the apartments at Helsinki at Dreispitz in Basel will be ready for occupancy. In 2018, it will receive the "Auszeichnung Guter Bauten Kanton Basel-Landschaft Kanton Basel-Stadt".
2013
To mark the company's 10th anniversary, an outing to Mount Rigi will take place in January, albeit with a slight delay.
2012
Completion of the Birskopfsteg bridge, a project with Christ & Gantenbein. The structure was awarded the Swiss steel construction prize "Prix Acier" in 2014.
2011
Heike Egli and Ana Maria Eigenmann become partners at ZPF Ingenieure.
2011
Roche Building 97, the second major project with Herzog & de Meuron for Roche after Building 95, is completed and also receives the "Auszeichnung Guter Bauten Kanton Basel-Landschaft Kanton Basel-Stadt" in 2013.
2010
After 10 years of planning and construction, the Museum of Cultures Basel is opened, receiving recognition in 2011 with the "Prix Acier" award and in 2013 with the "Auszeichnung Guter Bauten Kanton Basel-Landschaft Kanton Basel-Stadt".
2010
The Vitrahaus building in Weil am Rhein is opened in March – a very special bridge support structure and a building that attracts international attention.
2009
Sali Sadikaj and Nico Ros become ZPF partners and members of the company's management board. Hans-Peter Frei officially leaves the firm.
2008
The earthquake retrofitting of the Basel City Fire Station is completed. This is the first time that the concept of floating storage has been used north of the Alps.
2005
The GYB Payerne secondary school, ZPF Ingenieure's first competition win, is completed. The building, designed by Boegli Kramp Architects, is awarded the "Bauweltpreis 2007" and the "best architects award 08".
2003
The Schaulager building in Münchenstein opens. In 2005, it is awarded the "Architekturpreis Beton" (Concrete Architecture Prize); Herzog & de Meuron pass on the recognition and trophy to ZPF.
2002
Opening of the Rehab Basel. The project started even before ZPF Ingenieure was founded, as a joint venture between Zachmann, Pauli and Frei in collaboration with Herzog & de Meuron.
2001
Andreas Zachmann, Helmuth Pauli and Hans-Peter Frei found ZPF Ingenieure AG, with its office at St. Johanns-Vorstadt 82.
2025
At the end of May, it will be that time again: the ZPF office trip takes us to Milan for three days.
2024
Generation change: Tobias Huber, Manuel Wehrle and Christian Rudin (from left to right) take over the management of ZPF Structure AG, Basel, on 1 April.
2023
After five years, the ZPF team in May is finally on the road again – this time in Rotterdam and finishing off on the North Sea.
2022
In December, ETH Zurich announces that it has selected Dr Jacqueline Pauli as Professor of Structural Design at the Department of Architecture. She will succeed Prof. Joseph Schwartz in 2023.
2020
Material matters - so since summer 2020, we have been a service partner of Madaster, the global online platform for circular use of products and materials in the built environment.
2019
Tobias Huber becomes a partner at ZPF Ingenieure in the summer.
2017
Andreas Zachmann, the only one of ZPF's three founders still active, retires in January and goes travelling.
2016
The extended and converted Kunstmuseum Basel opens its doors. In 2018, the building received the "Auszeichnung Guter Bauten Kanton Basel-Landschaft Kanton Basel-Stadt" and – for its seamless brickwork façade – the "Wienberger Brick Award".
2015
Completion of the Novartis high-rise “Asklepios”. The building receives the "Auszeichnung Guter Bauten Kanton Basel-Landschaft Kanton Basel-Stadt 2018".
2014
ZPF Ingenieure opens its office in Zurich. In the same year, Jacqueline Pauli becomes a partner and Helmuth Pauli retires.
2013
To mark the company's 10th anniversary, an outing to Mount Rigi will take place in January, albeit with a slight delay.
2011
Heike Egli and Ana Maria Eigenmann become partners at ZPF Ingenieure.
2010
After 10 years of planning and construction, the Museum of Cultures Basel is opened, receiving recognition in 2011 with the "Prix Acier" award and in 2013 with the "Auszeichnung Guter Bauten Kanton Basel-Landschaft Kanton Basel-Stadt".
2009
Sali Sadikaj and Nico Ros become ZPF partners and members of the company's management board. Hans-Peter Frei officially leaves the firm.
2005
The GYB Payerne secondary school, ZPF Ingenieure's first competition win, is completed. The building, designed by Boegli Kramp Architects, is awarded the "Bauweltpreis 2007" and the "best architects award 08".
2002
Opening of the Rehab Basel. The project started even before ZPF Ingenieure was founded, as a joint venture between Zachmann, Pauli and Frei in collaboration with Herzog & de Meuron.