Foto: Daniel Ganz, Zürich
Foto: Daniel Ganz, Zürich


The new extension building of the university institute on Plattenstrasse in Zurich is located on an “edge” in urban development terms. This is a point of rupture between the large-scale and massive buildings of the university and a neighbourhood structure with small parts and small spaces.
The exterior space of the new extension building is made up of a courtyard and a small plaza. The contained courtyard is formed at the back by the extension building and is assigned to the library. A fountain by the two artists Michael Meier und Christoph Franz adorns the macadamized courtyard, which is edged with small-crowned trees, including Japanese pagoda tree (Sophora japonica), honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos), goldenrain tree (Koelreuteria paniculata), Kentucky coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus) and Kentucky yellowwood (Cladrastis kentukea), and contained by walls. A staircase made of in-situ concrete connects the courtyard on the north-eastern side to Phönixweg.
In front of Hotel Plattenhof there will be a small plaza, accentuated by a linden tree. It is slighted tiered towards the hotel, so that the hotel can create outdoor seating.

Client
University of Zurich, Canton of Zürich Building Department

Project dates
Project planning         2013-2014
Execution                    2018-2019

Surface area
835 m2

Artists
Michael Meier und Christoph Franz

Architecture
Gunz & Künzle Architects, Zurich


Donwnload PDF