Former Volksbank, Bahnhofstrasse 53, Zurich
Images 1–3: Luca Zanier Fotografie, Zurich, Images 4–5: Luxwerk, Zurich
Conversion of the listed bank building into a retail and office building. The existing supporting structure was adapted and upgraded to meet the new requirements, taking into account monument preservation guidelines.
Conversion of former Volksbank, Bahnhofstrasse 53, Zurich
Based on the protection agreement negotiated with the monument preservation authorities, the building was gutted in the central area and rebuilt with new in-situ concrete slabs and wall panels. The historic Hourdis ceilings along the street and courtyard facades were reinforced with a reinforced shotcrete layer on the underside of the ceiling. The effectiveness of the reinforcement measure was verified through component tests at EMPA and a test field within the building.
In the entrance area of the law firm, a newly installed seismic wall was designed as a sculpture, referencing a grid theme from the metal railings of the staircases, thus transforming the structure into a work of art.