Baufeld F Europaallee

With the Stadtraum HB design plan developed by Kees Christiaanse Architects & Planners (KCAP), Rotterdam, a district of high urban density is being created in a central location at Zurich main station. At Gustav-Gull-Platz, with the existing building stock by Caruso St. John Architects / Bosshard Vaquer Architekten and Graber Pulver Architekten / Masswerk Architekten, the new district sees expert development with high-rise buildings on base structures in deviation from the original master plan. This development continues at Baufeld F: Three additional high points enhance the area, one a solitary volume, the other two from a shared base structure.

The conically formulated building volumes reference the neighboring buildings. The facade relief is differentiated depending on orientation and utilization, additionally influencing the urban space. The combination of materials, including different natural stones and glass brick elements set in metal profiles, mediates between the track field and the neighboring, mural and metallic buildings. The metal frame of the natural stones addresses the principle of joining directly as the individual stone slabs are clearly visible. The joints are spatially concealed by the relief, so that the overall impression remains committed to the monolithic expression of the building. This allows for serial prefabrication of the facade elements and thus a precise and simultaneously high-quality finish.

Functionally, the buildings are divided vertically. The ground floor allows for public uses such as eateries and retail spaces. The rental apartments are located in the high-rise buildings and come with a spectacular view over the track field and the city center. All apartment types are at least dual aspect.
The materialization of the facades is continued in the interior. Glass blocks are used in the en-suite bathrooms, suspended metal elements enhance the kitchens and the natural stone of the facade is used as flooring. The curtain-wall glass block elements allow the windows to be opened into the room. This way, users can individually ventilate in addition to controlled room ventilation. Furthermore, they facilitate night cooling and increase room comfort. Clay and lime plaster enhance room climate and humidity.

The supporting framework of the building is a skeleton structure made from recycled concrete. Thanks to direct load transfer, high compactness, the use of renewable energies and natural materials, the requirements of the DGNB / SGNI certificate are met at the platinum level.