Refurbishment and Change of Use of a Research Building
Basel, Switzerland
Planning started 2021
Completion 2025
Wohncluster Grenzacherstrasse.
Overview
Client
Pension Fund of UBS, Zurich, Switzerland
Architecture
Ackermann Architekten, Basel, Switzerland
Team ZPF
Milad Amini, Emil Araktsijev, Pius Cottier, Tobias Huber, Kay Unterer
The building on Grenzacherstrasse, running parallel to the Rhine, was constructed in 1969/1970 as an immunological research institute. It comprises an east and west wing, each with one upper floor, and a three-storey central block. The above-ground floors are steel-framed structures, whilst the two basement levels are constructed in reinforced concrete. Upon reaching the end of its useful life, the building complex was to undergo comprehensive refurbishment and conversion to accommodate new uses. The transformation resulted in a total of 53 residential units and commercial spaces.
For reasons of sustainability, the building structure, the façade, and as many components as possible were to be reused. The west wing was extended by a two-storey rooftop addition in timber panel construction. In addition to a new wall and a new staircase and lift core in reinforced concrete, the loads from the timber superstructure are transferred to a new foundation via four additional steel columns running through all existing floors. The central block was likewise extended by a single-storey timber addition.
The existing building structure gave rise to exceptional residential typologies that stand out clearly from the surrounding neighbourhood's housing stock. Above-average ceiling heights and direct access to the inner courtyards create a generous sense of space.
From the outside, the existing fabric and the new additions overlap and complement one another. The existing façade is composed of precise aluminium panels joined to form a thin skin. Timber board cladding characterises the appearance of the rooftop additions and the supplementary ground-floor façades.