Office and Administration
A 1974 office block in central Zürich was to undergo complete refurbishment, with the client specifically requesting a high-quality renovation in line with the method 22·26.
Insights
The refurbishment of this office block in line with the 22·26 Hybrid principle sets new standards in environmentally friendly design and combines modernity with respect for historical context.
The works carried out included removing the existing suspended ceilings to reveal impressive room heights and expose thermal storage mass. The compact structure, upgraded with thermal insulation and a new facade, now acts as an effective barrier against external temperature fluctuations. The opaque, closed facade elements reduce the amount of glass and so counteract summer overheating.
Keeping building services to a minimum
Renovated according to the 22·26 Hybrid principle, the building now operates with almost no conventional HVAC technology. The temperature in the building is maintained at between 22 and 26°C: in winter, thanks to the heat given off by the people, lighting and other devices inside it; in summer, by means of automatic night cooling This reduces energy consumption for heating and cooling to an absolute minimum. At the same time, the 22·26 Operating System uses automatically controlled window ventilation panels to ensure that air humidity, temperature and CO2 values remain within a defined range.
The building’s electricity supply comes directly from a newly installed PV facade, with a heat pump balancing out peaks in demand for heating and cooling energy. Biodiversity has also been improved, and a green roof added.
The building now offers 1418m² of flexible space over six floors and a 140m² rooftop terrace – its breathtaking views over the city and Lake Zürich providing an inspiring venue for events, meetings and breaks. Inside, the rooms roofs offer clay-plastered walls and ceilings and a pleasant indoor environment and are designed to meet a wide-range of business needs, facilitated by an open floor plan that permits flexible layouts.
Contrasting facade design and a striking entrance
The facade is characterised by an overlaid pattern of strongly profiled horizontal and vertical strips, one of which serves to demarcate the ground floor area from the upper storeys. A slightly set-back entryway, sitting in front of the main door through which clients gain access to the ground floor, creates a generous and striking entrance.
Insights
The project has been nominated for BREEAM Refurb Outstanding. It would be the first building in Switzerland to receive this accolade – and acknowledgement of our pioneering work in sustainability.
